Gratefullness prevailed with Franco Colapinto after a disappointing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The young Argentine driver had to retire from the race after an engine issue.
Race ruined thanks to contact with Piastri
The Abu Dhabi GP was pretty much over before it started for Colapinto as he got clouted by Oscar Piastri into turn 6, following the virtual safety car that came out to salvage the stricken car of Sergio Pérez.
He picked up a puncture that left him well off the back of the field.
“I had a good start, I think I was just trying to do the laps, trying to do the race,” Colapinto explained his mindset going into the race. “I wanted to finish, I wanted to show the pace we had in the car, I knew we were quick.
“And yeah, after the VSC I tried to get to Tsunoda into 6 and Piastri hitted me from behind really hard. Damaged a lot the car, the diffuser, a puncture as well. It just hasn’t been the last couple of races I wanted.“
Colapinto was the hottest new prospect in Formula 1, following the departure of Logan Sargeant at Williams.
After scoring points in Baku and COTA and impressing the paddock, the one-time Formula 2 Sprint race winner has suffered some crashes and bad luck, showing the reality of just how tough the sport is.
“I’m really unlucky,” he said regarding the last two rounds. “I think the last two I could have not done anything to avoid what happened. Engine issue to finish our race.
“So it just hasn’t been the end of the season I wanted, but it’s part of it, it’s part of Formula 1. It still was my dream come true and it was an amazing experience.
“I would have liked much more if we would have ended as we started, but it’s part of Formula 1.”
Living a dream over the last 3 months
Colapinto ended the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a bit downtrodden with his DNF, but gratefullness and satisfaction dominate the Williams driver’s feelings.
“It was a dream, that’s I think the summary [of the last 9 races]. Since I was very young I was waiting for this opportunity and working towards it. It’s just been an extremely good experience and very nice moments with the team, I’m very grateful with Williams for the opportunity.”
The incredible support from Argentina
With currently no Brazilian driver on the grid, the massive support Colapinto got was most visible during the São Paulo Grand Prix a few weeks ago as his South American neighbours got behind him.
Understandably he is more than grateful for the support from his fellow countrymen in Argentina.
“[I am] very grateful, it’s been a lot of support coming from my home country. I’m just really happy to see so much support coming from Argentina and so many fans getting into the sport.”
What does 2025 hold?
Where his loyal fans will support him in 2025 remains a question mark for now, as Colapinto has currently nothing lined up, he said.
“I don’t know [what’s next for me], no idea, no plans at the moment. Hopefully I can be racing in something next year.”
