Franco Colapinto receives apology from F1 rival despite brilliant US Grand Prix performance

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With every Formula 1 race that passes, Williams driver Franco Colapinto impresses more and more people in the paddock and gains more fans from his native Argentina.

On paper, Williams had a tough decision to make when they knew that Logan Sargeant’s time was up in F1.

Franco Colapinto had only one F1 practice session under his belt before being selected for a promotion, while team principal James Vowles had reservations about Mick Schumacher and other alternatives outside the Williams set-up.

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Colapinto impressed during his FP1 session at Silverstone but Williams were still seemingly taking a risk promoting the Argentinian for the final nine races of the 2024 season.

Vowles’s decision has already been fully justified after another brilliant weekend at the United States Grand Prix for Colapinto.

The 21-year-old already had four points to his name after a sensational performance in Baku and reached the final session of qualifying for the Sprint Race before falling back to 12th.

Colapinto’s qualifying performance for the Grand Prix wasn’t as positive, although he was within 11 thousandths of teammate Alex Albon despite their Q1 exit.

While Albon struggled on his 100th Grand Prix and made early contact with Esteban Ocon, Colapinto thrived on a one-stop strategy.

His late pit stop also saw him briefly take the fastest lap of the race but that was taken away late in the race by Ocon, who then took to Instagram to apologise.

While Williams may feel they should have performed better across the weekend, they will be both pleased with Colapinto’s performance and frustrated by how their rivals Alpine denied them another point.

Esteban Ocon apologises to Franco Colapinto after stealing United States Grand Prix fastest lap

Posting on social media after the race, Ocon said: “Race unfortunately compromised on lap 1 after being hit from behind.

“Recovered some positions but not much was possible after the start.

“We still managed the fastest lap for the team at the end – sorry to Franco as he deserved it.

“We go against next week, see you soon Mexico!”

After the race, Colapinto was asked about losing the fastest lap, via Mundo Deportivo, and joked: “I had the fastest lap until almost the end, until the Frenchman (Ocon) took it from me, so nothing, a shame.

“I want him to give it back to me. Why do you go into the pits and waste tyres? Take care of the planet!”

Franco Colapinto continues to prove he deserves 2025 Formula 1 race seat

Colapinto was well aware that his position at Williams would be temporary when he stepped into Sargeant’s car earlier in the race.

Albon had already signed a contract extension and Williams had secured a coup in bringing in Carlos Sainz from Ferrari.

However, Colapinto was the stronger of the two Williams drivers in Austin and while it’s only one event, it does raise some questions about the Argentinian’s future.

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There are only two seats that haven’t been confirmed for 2025 – at RB and Sauber.

Colapinto is behind another young driver in the battle to race for Sauber although that pecking order could change if the 21-year-old continues to impress.

Helmut Marko has been impressed by Colapinto and if Sergio Perez is dropped by Red Bull, then a current RB driver will be promoted into his spot.

Question marks exist at Red Bull over Isack Hadjar and if the team look outside their junior program once again, then Colapinto is the obvious choice.