‘It’s out of this world!’ – Colapinto reacts to ‘insane’ F1 chance with Williams and shares initial targets

Franco Colapinto has spoken to the media for the first time since the headline-making news that he is taking the place of Logan Sargeant at Williams for the remainder of the season, expressing his gratitude to the team for the “amazing” opportunity.

Williams Driver Academy member Colapinto had been competing in his first full F2 season, after scoring wins in an array of junior single-seater categories, with the 21-year-old sitting sixth in the 2024 standings via a race win and two further podiums.

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However, after a particularly challenging run for Sargeant, which included a heavy crash last time out in Zandvoort, Williams opted for a mid-season change and called on Argentine racer Colapinto to replace the American.

Asked at Monza on Thursday to reveal all about how his shot at the big time materialised, Colapinto described the opportunity as “out of this world” and that “I cannot explain with words how grateful I am”.

“It was a complete rollercoaster,” he said, while beaming to the gathered media and processing his whirlwind week. “It was insane, to be honest!

“I was just with [my F2 team] MP [in the Netherlands] on Monday doing the preparation for the F2 race. I’d done the sim there all day, and then I had to fly in the evening to England to the Williams factory. It was already planned from many months ago.

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“It was there I realised I had a meeting with James [Vowles, Williams team boss] and with Sven [Smeets, Sporting Director]. They have been super supportive, not only today and not only here, giving me this chance and an amazing opportunity that I dreamt about years ago, also with the Silverstone Free Practice 1 in their home race.

“I think it also prepared me a little bit more for this chance and I am just super grateful to race for the team. I am very comfortable and I am extremely happy to be here today. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

Colapinto then outlined the targets set by Williams heading into his debut weekend, Monza being a venue the team have performed well at in recent years – scoring points in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

“We’ve got many targets, of course,” he said. “We’re going to go step-by-step; I think it’s the most important part. What the team wants is to build my confidence slowly and then of course arrive to the important moment of the weekend with a bit more chance of being quick enough.

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“I’m going to try to give my all. I know what the team is expecting, and I know the targets and what their goal is. I’m going to try to achieve that together. As I said, I’m going to give my all to make them proud.”

He added: “Points or no points, I don’t really know. I’m focusing on myself, trying to go slowly and make this process as safe and as quick as I can.”