Williams Workforce Press Launch
Our Driver Academy racer will drive the FW46 at the beginning of the British Grand Prix weekend
Williams Racing pronounces that F2 race winner Franco Colapinto will drive Logan Sargeant’s FW46 throughout Free Follow 1 (FP1) at this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
The 21-year-old Argentine, a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy programme, is presently fifth within the FIA F2 Championship standings after a robust begin to his rookie season.
“I’ve so many feelings,” Franco shared. “I’m extraordinarily delighted and it’s an important second in my life and my profession. “I would be the most ready I can; I shall be doing quite a lot of laps within the simulator and learning the small print wanted to drive this 12 months’s automotive. “I’m actually trying ahead to experiencing the brand new automotive after driving final 12 months’s in Abu Dhabi.
“To have the ability to drive it at a observe like Silverstone is a privilege, it’s considered one of my favorite tracks and to drive it on the workforce’s house race means rather a lot. “To all of the Argentine followers – I hope you get pleasure from FP1 as a lot as I’m going to! It’s an vital second for our nation and I’m so grateful for all of the help I’ve been given. I’m going to offer my all to make you proud!”
Franco’s F2 marketing campaign to this point has seen him scoop a race win in Imola and podiums within the Barcelona and Austria Characteristic races, in addition to 4 additional factors scoring outings for MP Motorsport. His development to F2 adopted a formidable sophomore 12 months within the FIA F3 Championship the place two race wins, together with one at Silverstone, three additional podiums and a complete of 14 factors ending outcomes led him to fourth within the Drivers’ Championship.
The outing shall be Franco’s FP1 debut however second in a Method 1 automotive after he drove the FW45 on the Abu Dhabi younger driver check final 12 months, including his title to an inventory of Argentines to have piloted an F1 automotive together with legends Juan Manuel Fangio and ex-Williams driver Carlos Reutemann.
Following Friday morning’s FP1 session Logan Sargeant, himself a graduate of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, will return to the automotive for the rest of the weekend. Sven Smeets, Sporting Director, commented: “Franco has had a really encouraging begin to his debut season in F2 and we’re delighted to reward his performances over the previous two years along with his first FP1 session.
“We’re happy with our gifted group of drivers within the Williams Racing Driver Academy and it’s important for us to offer them the chance to progress and have these vital possibilities as they transfer up the ladder. “To showcase our expertise at our house race at Silverstone is a pleasant second and, in fact, that is going to be an amazing day for the Argentine F1 followers.”
