Franco Colapinto revealed which driver is his only friend in Formula 1

Franco Colapinto opened up sincerely about his personal connections within the Formula 1 paddock In the lead-up to the Mexican Grand Prix, the Argentine driver shared how his relationship with other competitors is off the track and did not hesitate to point out Sergio “Checo” Pérez as his closest reference.

Although he acknowledged that he gets along well with most of his colleagues, the driver from Pilar was clear: the Mexican is the only one he considers a true friend. “I get along very well with Checo, I consider him the closest in all of F1,” he stated in an interview with ESPN.

Colapinto explained that he maintains a respectful and cordial relationship with the rest of the drivers. “Obviously, afterwards you talk, greet each other, and with respect, you have a good relationship,” he detailed. However, his bond with Pérez goes a step further and differs from the others.

The Argentine also mentioned other names with whom he has a special closeness. Among them were Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Antonelli. According to him, these drivers tend to pay attention to rookies and are always willing to lend a hand when a question arises.

A relationship that strengthened with Checo's return

Pérez returned to the category this year to join the Cadillac team alongside Valtteri Bottas. The Mexican renewed his contract until 2029, and Colapinto was one of the first to welcome him with open arms. They reunited during the preseason tests at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.

After that meeting, the Argentine dedicated a social media post to welcome him. That closeness is noticeable, and Colapinto himself highlights it every time he talks about his ties within the grid.

“They are great people, and there are many stories that reflect that, plus you know them from another point that is not just professional,” the driver expressed about the group of colleagues he identifies with the most. That idea of camaraderie among experienced drivers and younger ones is something he particularly values.

At the Hermanos Rodríguez racetrack, Colapinto will seek to break the bad streak of the last races. His participation in Mexico starts in a particular way: in the first free practice, he lent the car to Brazilian Gabriel Mini, so he will only go out on track in the second session on Friday.

The Mexican weekend and expectations

Qualifying takes place on Saturday, and on Sunday, at 5 PM Argentina time, the Mexican Grand Prix will be held. The race will be contested over 71 laps, and there is a possibility that Kimi Antonelli could become world champion if the results are favorable.

Colapinto arrives with the intention of scoring points and showing better performance after several challenging competitions. Having the support of a friend like Checo Pérez within the paddock gives him an emotional boost during a demanding weekend.

The Argentine insists that, beyond the fierce competition on the track, there are human ties that are worth it. His friendship with Checo Pérez is, for him, the clearest example that genuine relationships can also be built in Formula 1.

With the support of those more experienced drivers and the confidence of having someone trustworthy nearby, Colapinto prepares to face the Mexican challenge with the same conviction as always.