F1
Vowles hails Colapinto's contribution to 'pushing Albon' to improve
© Florent Gooden / DPPI
The end of the season did not have the expected result but all of his 9 Grands Prix under the colours of Williams have clearly had an effect internally. Called in at short notice to replace the dismissed Logan sargeant from Italy last September, Franco Colapinto brought satisfaction to Grove's side.
Quickly, the Argentinian appeared faster and above all much closer to Alex's level. Albon than the Floridian was, often very far from his teammate during his almost two years. To the point of reaching Q3 and even beating the Thai in qualifying on his second race weekend, what's more on a circuit he was discovering (Baku).
An express adaptation that James Vowles is still pleased about, according to whom the “promotion” of Franco Colapinto had an indirect impact on the other side of the garage, where Alex Albon suddenly no longer had this big advantage over his teammate as was the case with Logan Sargeant or Nicholas latifi before.
" [Franco] pushed Alex, recognize James Vowles. There is no doubt about it. We have progressed as a team. (...) Every driver in the world, every human being in the world, gets better by being challenged. And ultimately, that's what Franco brought to the team. »
If he cannot keep it for the 2025 season due to the arrival of Carlos Sainz, the main team sees in Franco Colapinto “ a great future ", a pure product of the Williams Academy training. Now it remains to find him a place in the short term while the Argentinian has shaken up the paddock since his debut at Monza and he is currently on the sidelines...
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Gonzalo Forbes
In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.
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Thierry Pingret
12/12/2024 at 07:58 a.m.
Here is one that supports its drivers, unlike Alpine
vincent moyet
12/12/2024 at 04:21 a.m.
Is this emulation really that healthy, given the number of bent chassis? As a result, Williams, whose recovery is still hoped for, is starting with a handicap next year given the hole in the budget.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
12/12/2024 at 11:25 a.m.
Colapinto has certainly spurred Albon on but has also broken a lot of carbon since Williams Racing has a 2024 slate of nearly $10 million in breakage with its Albon / Sargeant / Colapinto trio.
Lucas Paul
12/12/2024 at 11:12 a.m.
Before the exclamations for this young driver, let's wait for his results in 2025! It's still Albon, who saves the day :)