Colapinto performs well yet again, just missing out on points at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
Colapinto had a fantastic start, gaining four positions in the opening lap. He chased down Sergio Perez’s Red Bull for the final points position but had to settle for 11th place.
Williams rookie driver, Franco Colapinto has already cemented his name as a point scorer in Formula One. The rookie recovered from his first-place collision in Free Practice 1 to score points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in just his second race for the team. With Alex Albon’s seventh-place finish, Williams has now scored double points for the first time since the 2023 United States Grand Prix. Colapinto’s achievement was further enhanced by the fact that he was the first Argentine driver to win points since Carlos Reutemann in 1982.
How will Williams proceed ahead with a duo?
After the Williams team decided to replace Logan Sargeant for the final nine races of the season, Colapinto was brought in to compete for the team starting at the Italian Grand Prix. The young rookie has already made a name in Formula One by scoring points in his second F1 race.
“It is very special, a dream come true. It is a long season still and we have many races left together but it is a great start. Very motivating for the next race.” Colapinto after Baku via F1.
This season, Williams has battled in a competitive midfield battle, frequently missing out on points to teams like RB and Haas. They have six points going into Baku thanks to Albon’s three P9 finishes at Silverstone, Monaco, and Monza.
With six races left, they have jumped Alpine into eighth place in the constructors’ standings, giving them an extra 10 points above Azerbaijan. Albon and Williams both tied for the best race finish.
His performance in Baku ahead of Lewis Hamilton indicates that Williams made the right choice in bringing him in to replace Logan Sargeant. But is it the right move from Williams to Colapinto to move away by the end of the 2024 season so Carlos Sainz can race for Willams in 2025?
Williams’ Choice Between Youth and Experience
Carlos Sainz is a well-known name in Formula One. He is also a multiple Grand Prix winner. Being one of the drivers who can score points on a regular basis, Vowles and Williams believe that he can bring the team on a steady path of points along with Alex Albon.
But with Colapinto’s recent performance, it makes one wonder if it’s right for Williams to ask the young Argentinian driver to make way for a well known name in Formula One.
Recently, Sainz hasn’t left much of an impact. Although he did win a Grand Prix this season, Charles Leclerc, his teammate has since won twice one in Monaco and one in Monza. And during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, he and Sergio Perez collided into the wall.
But that doesn’t mean Colapinto doesn’t make mistakes. He will make silly errors while driving which every other driver does while racing. But in retrospect, compared to singing Sainz, Colapinto seems like a cheaper option for Williams and he can bring in a huge amount of sponsors from Argentina. Keep in mind that Colapinto is young and William can invest their time in moulding him into a fantastic driver for the future.
