The Argentine driver revealed previously unknown details about his debut in the top category, the challenges with his single-seater, and the lessons learned for the next season
Compartir:
Franco Colapinto will close his first full season in Formula 1at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In this context, the Argentine once again opened up about his sporting life, describing how he experienced his arrival in the top category and which aspects he aims to strengthen looking ahead to the future.
In an interview with Juan Fossaroli, the native of Pilar enthusiastically recalled the day his move to the Grand Circus was confirmed. "What happened with Williams was all very sudden, abrupt, a very quick decision by the team that gave no one time to prepare, which made it even more special," he remarked.
According to his account, everything happened during a simulator test. James Vowles called him to his office, he signed the papers, and, with no time to celebrate, he went straight back to the simulator to keep working.
Meanwhile, his F1 debut on September 1, 2024, left a lasting mark. "It was the moment I enjoyed the most in Formula 1 and in motorsport. It was the most important moment of my career," he stated with conviction.
Para Colapinto, su momomento más importante en la F1 fue su debut en Monza
In another part of the conversation, Colapinto spoke about his performance in 2025 and highlighted his strength in race pace. He did not suffer any retirements throughout the season, and that gave him confidence. "I think this year it's clear that my strength was the races. I know I'm a good race driver, that I move forward, that I have a very strong pace," he said.
Thanks to his solid performance, he has already completed 27 Grands Prix and 1389 laps, which places him behind Carlos Reutemann and Juan Manuel Fangio among Argentines with the most laps in the category. Although he downplays it: "It's the achievement that interests me the least. I would prefer it to be for points or other things; I would like to be more competitive."
However, he admitted that qualifying was his weakest point. "It's a car I'm not comfortable with... in practically no quali did I feel like 'Wow, what a lap I did'." He attributed that difficulty to a lack of connection with the A525, convinced that adaptation will be key to his development: "When the car and I are a bit more connected... it will generate a consistency and handling that will bring what I'm missing." Colapinto no pudo dominar el A525
Self-criticism also extended to the personal level. Colapinto confessed that he neglected his psychological work during an important part of the season: "I regret not having worked at an important moment with my psychologist. I felt I was fine but in reality I needed it. It was my mistake, which I realized, but it was already too late."
Meanwhile, he spoke about Alpine's complicated end to the season. "When you reach the end of the season, you always have a car that the mechanics put together as best they can," he explained after a difficult weekend in Qatar that visibly frustrated him. For that reason, he chose to be realistic: "I want to finish the season in the best way to focus on what's coming. It is what it is."
With his sights set on 2026, Colapinto aims to have a strong start and learn from the complications he has faced so far. "I hope we start well. I'm very eager to prepare for it in the best way. It's going to be an important year for me. I have to learn from this year and not make the same mistakes," he commented.
Beyond the numbers and the pressure, he gave a nod to the South American fans and the affection he received at every step: "I'll keep the race in Mexico, Brazil, with all the fans, they were very special."
With a season full of lessons, Franco Colapinto faces the end of the calendar and prepares for the next campaign with the goal of turning that experience into more solid results. The story is just beginning.
