Franco Colapinto issues ‘strange’ Fernando Alonso verdict amid ‘shock’ admission

Follow us on Google Discover

Franco Colapinto has an association with Fernando Alonso long preceding his superb start in Formula 1 but one part about racing the Spaniard still ‘shocks’ the Argentine.

The 21-year-old has been a fantastic addition to the grid since Williams offered Colapinto his surprise debut at Monza. Through his six Grand Prix with the Grove squad so far, the Buenos Aires native has had two top-10 finishes and earned interest from elsewhere in the paddock.

Williams have held an interest in Colapinto since he entered their driver academy in January 2023. It marked another step in an impressive rise through the junior categories which even saw Colapinto race for FA Racing by Drivex, the junior series team owned by Alonso, in 2019.

Franco Colapinto finds it ‘strange’ racing Fernando Alonso in F1

Alonso saw Colapinto’s potential at an early age as he transitioned from go-karts into single-seaters. The Argentine’s time at FA Racing by Drivex also yielded the 2019 Spanish F4 title. It remains his only championship success but Colapinto’s F1 results have put teams on alert.

His aggressive racing style has seen Red Bull explore signing Colapinto amid ongoing doubts over Sergio Perez. Colapinto also has interest from Alpine, having caught the eye by scoring points in Baku and Texas. Alonso even lost out to Colapinto in the United States Grand Prix.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to stats

Alonso failed to overtake Colapinto whilst fighting over P10 and the final point at the Circuit of the Americas. But battling the 43-year-old still feels ‘strange’ for the Williams talent given Colapinto grew up watching Alonso, yet now rubs wheels with the two-time champion in F1.

Colapinto told Cerveza Quilmes: “It’s strange because Fernando Alonso is twice as old as me. So, it’s like I saw him from a very young age when I was eight or nine years old.

“In Argentina, [I watched] the races and saw Alonso racing against [Lewis] Hamilton, fighting for the championships and all of that. Suddenly, it’s me racing against him, which is a bit of a shock.

“But the truth is that when you close the visor and when you put on your helmet, everyone is the same. [At] that point, the fanaticism you had when you were a kid goes away a little and you want to beat everyone.

“I don’t care who is next to me – whether it’s [Max] Verstappen or [George] Russell, it is the same. I want to win and I want to be ahead of them.”

Fernando Alonso could help Franco Colapinto decide his future in F1

Williams saw Colapinto come out on top in his fight with Alonso at the US Grand Prix as the hotshot muscled his way ahead of the Aston Martin driver with an aggressive, late dive into Turn 12. Alonso only half-covered the inside before the braking zone, so Colapinto pounced.

Their relationship off the circuit remains strong, too, after Alonso and Colapinto joked about their on-track tussle in the US Grand Prix. Having the 2005 and 2006 F1 drivers’ champion as an acquaintance can even help Colapinto when it comes to deciding his future for 2025.

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Racing for the Grove squad again next year is off the table after Williams signed Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon. Colapinto, therefore, faces a year as a reserve driver like Alonso spent at Renault in 2002 after debuting in F1 in 2001 or leaving the team to join Alpine or Red Bull.

Taking up a reserve driver role with Renault in 2002 allowed Alonso to become embedded in the Enstone outfit today called Alpine. The Spaniard then returned from the sidelines for the 2003 season before Alonso and Renault won back-to-back title doubles in 2005 and 2006.