What annoyed Valtteri Bottas about Franco Colapinto during his F1 debut at Monza

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Sauber’s 2024 season showed no signs of improving after a dismal weekend at the Italian Grand Prix.

After qualifying on the back row of the grid at Monza, Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu finished 16th and 18th respectively as the Swiss continue to search for their first point of the season.

It was quite the opposite at Williams, as the Grove-based team debuted Franco Colapinto after he was called up from Formula 2 to replace Logan Sargeant.

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

The 21-year-old becomes the first Argentine to race in F1 since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001 and his signing was met with widespread support. Although not everyone was jumping on the hype train, as Colapinto’s junior career did not stand out to Martin Brundle that suggested he could be a top talent.

Nevertheless, Colapinto enjoyed a superb debut. Despite only just starting ahead of the Saubers in 18th, the Argentine gained six places to finish 12th, leaving teammate Alex Albon impressed by Colapinto’s performance.

Colapinto displayed a strong showing at Monza, but it would appear that not everyone was too pleased with him out on track.

Why Valtteri Bottas was annoyed with Franco Colapinto at Monza

Speaking on Flat Chat with Godders by GP Racing, journalist Alex Kalinauckas explained why Bottas was annoyed with Colapinto during the Italian Grand Prix.

The situation is that, according to Bottas, the Williams debutant was driving too slowly on the way to the grid and in the formation lap. Colapinto would ultimately end up finishing on the lead lap and four places ahead of Bottas, who came home a lap down.

And Kalinauckas praised the Argentine’s handling of his first F1 weekend, whilst also taking a swipe at Bottas and Sauber for their miserable campaign thus far.

Speaking about the media attention Colapinto received, Kalinauckas said: “His press conference was packed. I mean, it was outside in the TV pen tent that they sort of use now. And it was absolutely roasting in Italy last weekend, it was just it was really intense and I thought he handled it with aplomb.

“There was a little bit of, I noticed his hands were shaking at one stage. And you sort of realize again, these are really young people just trying to do their best in very complex situations. But, yeah, his answers were fine and [he] performed admirably in the race, considering he’s had no practice.

[He] drew Valtteri Bottas’s ire for not being quick enough on the laps to the grid, the formation lap. I mean, perhaps Valtteri, if you’ve been in a quicker car and had been sitting up the front end of the grid, you wouldn’t have minded so much!

“But whatever, that’s a Sauber problem, not a Colapinto problem.”

Can Sauber improve their miserable form?

While things are looking good for Colapinto as F1 heads to Baku, the same cannot be said for Sauber.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from team principal to Audi future

The Swiss team do not show any signs of improving their current form and getting a point on the scoreboard, which is concerning as Sauber prepare for the arrival of Audi in 2026.

The future of Bottas and Zhou at Sauber is uncertain. The team have already signed Nico Hulkenberg on a multi-year deal and they are currently searching for the German’s teammate.

Bottas is believed to be the favourite for the seat, but that may not be a nailed-on decision. Team manager Mattia Binotto named Theo Pourchaire and Gabriel Bortoleto as drivers he is looking at for 2025.