After a mix of highs and lows, Franco Colapinto is ranked 16th in Pit Debrief’s F1 2024 Driver Rankings.
The Argentine driver joined the 2024 Formula One season as the 22nd driver, replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams Racing. He quickly gained attention with strong performances early on.
However, his momentum stalled after failing to finish in three of the last four Grand Prix. After nine races, Colapinto was 19th in the driver standings with 5 points.
Announcement to compete from the Italian Grand Prix
The announcement that Colapinto would compete from the Italian Grand Prix sparked mixed reactions. While some were concerned about replacing Sargeant with a rookie, others felt there was little to lose given the American’s failure to score any points after 15 races.
After being knocked out in the first round of qualifying, starting 18th at Monza, Colapinto had a relatively smooth race. He improved by six positions to finish 12th, marking a strong debut following his unexpected F1 promotion.
Baku Brilliance: A Showcase of Highs
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marked one of Williams’ strongest weekends of the 2024 season, with the team securing a double points finish. It was also only Franco Colapinto’s second race in Formula 1, but the Argentinian made an immediate impact. Colapinto delivered a standout performance, finishing 8th and earning 4 valuable points for the team. His impressive drive not only solidified his own growing reputation but also caught the attention of the entire paddock, including rival teams.
Rumors of Colapinto replacing Perez at Red Bull were circulating. Horner was not the only one eyeing on Colapinto as Alpine and Audi moves was also passed around. Team principal of Williams, James Vowels, quickly shut down the discussions emphasising that Williams is planning on keeping Colapinto and bring him back on the grid as soon as possible.
Colapinto’s assertiveness
The 21-year-old delivered strong performances in Singapore, the USA, and Mexico. He went four-wide and overtook Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, and Yuki Tsunoda in Singapore at the start. In the USA, he earned the “Overtake of the Month” award for his bold move on Fernando Alonso.
Although Mexico presented challenges, with a Q1 exit and a post-race time penalty, Colapinto still managed to finish just outside the points in 12th.
Costly struggles from Brazil to Abu Dhabi
Colapinto’s struggles began in Brazil, where he faced significant crashes in both qualifying and the race. The extreme wet conditions were something he had not yet experienced. These costly setbacks continued through to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Colapinto faced a tough recovery in Las Vegas after a 50G crash in qualifying. Starting from the pit lane, he battled tyre management issues and dirty air, finishing 14th. In Qatar his race was over immediately as he ended up in the gravel after heavy contact with Ocon.
At the Abu Dhabi GP, Colapinto’s race ended early. He had a collision with Piastri that caused a puncture, followed by a power unit issue. Despite his efforts, he was forced to retire on his final race for the time being.
Conclusion
Franco Colapinto’s 2024 season earned him the 16th spot in Pit Debrief’s F1 Driver Rankings, thanks to his resilience and standout moments. Despite replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season, the driver from Argentina impressed with strong drives in Azerbaijan, Singapore, and the USA including points finishes and notable overtakes.
Though plagued by setbacks like crashes and technical issues in Brazil, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi, his ability to recover and deliver consistent pace showed his potential.
Colapinto’s performances highlighted both his talent and determination, marking him for a potential full-time seat in the future.
