Franco Colapinto starts fresh with Alpine for Emilia-Romagna GP
Franco Colapinto Takes Over Jack Doohan’s Alpine Seat at Emilia-Romagna GP
Imola, Italy – Argentine driver Franco Colapinto is stepping into a fresh challenge this weekend as he takes over Jack Doohan’s seat at Alpine for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The 21-year-old, who raced nine times for Williams during the latter half of the 2022 Formula 1 season, acknowledged that this marks a new slate in his burgeoning F1 career.
A New Beginning
"Everything is new again. We start from zero," Colapinto said during Thursday’s media session. "Of course, it's never nice circumstances when it happens like this, when you step in another driver's seat, but you never really choose the moment you do it in Formula 1. I just take it, try to do my best, and try to maximize it for the job."
The Argentine is no stranger to making headlines, having scored five points for Williams and stirring excitement back home by becoming the first Argentine on the F1 grid in 23 years. His return to the sport also bolsters South America’s representation, doubling the contingent alongside Sauber’s Brazilian rookie, Gabriel Bortoleto, who competed solo through the first six races.
Challenges Ahead
Still classified as a rookie, Colapinto openly admitted that his transition to a new team – and a new car – would require time. “I feel a bit rusty,” he remarked, noting that his opportunity spans just five races, during which Alpine will evaluate his performance.
To prepare, the 21-year-old has been putting in hours on the simulator and recently tested an older Alpine F1 car at Zandvoort, the Dutch Grand Prix circuit. Despite the rapid adjustment period, Colapinto remains optimistic as he returns to Italy, a country where he’s enjoyed success in the junior racing categories.
“I’m much more relaxed,” he reflected, comparing his Williams debut at Monza last year to his upcoming start at Imola. "I've had the experience of racing, I've had the experience of being in a race weekend with a different team. I still have that feeling – I've been racing in December, so it's not that far away."
A Balanced Perspective
However, this time around, the excitement feels more tempered.
“It doesn't feel the same as Monza. Monza was massive excitement, everything was new, it was the first time I was going to be part of a Formula 1 grid," he admitted. "Here it feels a bit different. It’s still my dream come true, so the feelings are the same, but now I want to work with the team. It’s not only about the dream of becoming an F1 driver, it’s about working towards the team’s goals.”
Opportunity for Long-Term Role
Colapinto’s integration promises to be a critical storyline as Alpine evaluates his potential for a long-term role. For now, the race in Imola marks his next step in carving out a permanent place in Formula 1.
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