F1 will have another Latino driver in its ranks. Franco Colapinto is set to race the rest of the season with Williams, replacing Logan Sargeant. He will wear number 43 and debut this weekend at the Italian Grand Prix.
The 21-year-old Colapinto will become the first Argentinian driver in F1 in 23 years, since Gastón Mazzacane’s last appearances for Prost back in 2001. He is the second Argentinian to drive for Williams, the first being Carlos Reutemann.
“It’s an honor to make my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of,” Colapinto said. “The team has an incredible history and a mission to get back to the front, which I can’t wait to be a part of. Coming to F1 mid-season will be a huge learning curve, but I’m up for the challenge and I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.”
Williams Team Principal James Vowles added: “To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.”
Colapinto joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in 2023 and made his FP1 – or free practice session 1 – debut with the F1 team at this year’s British Grand Prix. This gave him an opportunity to drive the FW46 car he will now be racing on. He was in his second season in the F2 feeder championship, and was in sixth place in the 2024 standings, with one victory and two second-place finishes.
Sergeant, who has already been confirmed would be losing his spot to Carlos Sainz next year, crashed his updated Williams at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.