AUSTIN — During F1's newest star's media appearance at the U.S. Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto stopped mid-answer and looked down at the table in front of him.
One of the media members' mobile phones was not recording the interview, so F1's new driver wanted to make sure the media members had what they needed. He stopped to make sure his phone was recording and hit the record button himself before continuing.
But it was that attitude that made Colapinto an instant star, and it was his attention to detail that made him so successful just three races after being thrown into the depths of motorsport. Colapinto was seventh in the F2 Drivers' Championship standings when Williams decided to promote him mid-season to replace Logan Sargent. Everything the young Argentine has achieved over three race weekends, including an impressive ninth place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in his first time driving around the Baku City Circuit, is a testament to his movement.
On Thursday in Austin, Colapinto talked about being doused with, in his own words, “a bucket of cold water.”
“Everything happened so fast. Like I said before, it was like a bucket of cold water,” Colapinto told media, including the media. SB Nation,Thursday. “I tried to do the best I could, and do all the basics right and drive as fast as possible.”
Colapinto has certainly achieved more than that in just three F1 race weekends. However, the US Grand Prix will present a new challenge as it will be his first F1 sprint race weekend. This means you only have one practice session before your lap time actually counts.
“Of course it will be difficult to participate in the sprint weekend,” Colapinto said. “It's not easy to do just one practice session with a car that you still know a lot about.” [of]but not so much. So I still have a lot to learn. ”
That includes navigating what Colapinto described as the first “fast” track of his F1 career.
“I would say it's the first high-speed track I've seen since I started racing F1. So there's a lot of challenges and a lot of new things.”
Colapinto did his best not to disappoint heading into the weekend.
“I have zero expectations and just like any other race, I'm just taking it step by step and seeing where I end up,” Colapinto added, explaining how the three weeks off helped him reset. “It was really important that these three weeks were good and really helped me get to grips with the team and get to work on some of the things that I have to work on.”
Colapinto also talked about how racing in America was something he had been looking forward to since he spent most of his young career racing in Europe.
“I've really been waiting for this,” Colapinto began. “And that's very special.
“Obviously, I've raced in Europe all my life, and I've probably raced in Australia for a week or so. But I've never raced in America, and it's closer to home. So I was really waiting for this 3rd round.
“Of course it's very special.
“So, my dream is to race in Argentina and race in Buenos Aires. But that's not happening. And these are the closest three races we have.
And I know that a lot of fans will come here, and a lot of fans will come to Mexico and even Brazil.”
Colapinto also talked about how his sudden stardom is playing out in his native Argentina, noting how his success has captivated fans young and old back home.
“There's no other Formula 1 driver who has as much support from the fans as I do. It shows that it's very important and it pushes me forward a little bit,” Colapinto said. “And to get all these messages of support and to have all the fans coming to the races to support you is so great and it makes you work a little bit more towards what you want. .
“This is very special. I'm very happy to be the next Argentine in Formula 1 and all the kids are overwhelmed,” Colapinto continued. “They are very happy to see the first F1 driver from their country. And for all the kids who are interested in motorsport, they are the next. ”[w]Oh, I love F1 now,” they say, passionate about the sport.
“And as you know, this is changing motorsport in Argentina a lot. So what's happening in this country is really good.”
The young driver said he feels the next three races – Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo – are almost home races for him.
“So it's going to almost feel like home. At least I think it's Brazil. I'm really looking forward to it,” Colapinto continued. “I have received a lot of support from the Argentine fans to race close to home. It is something I have been waiting for and dreaming of.
“And it's happening now. It's a very exciting time.”
That dream continues for Colapinto this week in Austin.
