Franco Colapinto invests $4.5 million to replace Logan Sargeant, sparking debates on the value of experience in F1.
Franco Colapinto’s supporters pay $4.5 million to Williams F1—$500,000 per race—for the Argentine rookie to immediately replace Logan Sargeant.
Red Bull reportedly refused to pay such an amount to place Liam Lawson in the cockpit, while the Argentine newspaper La Nacion suggests Williams did not even speak to Mick Schumacher’s camp.
Mick’s uncle, Ralf, criticized Williams’s decision.
“You might respect the decision because Colapinto is a driver from Williams’s junior program. But I think it’s absurd and makes no sense from a performance standpoint.”
“I believe the risk to both the racing team and the driver is much higher than if they had hired someone experienced like Mick.”
As for the millions Williams is now set to receive from Colapinto’s financiers, Schumacher insists there is “no amount in the world” that could justify a decision based on anything other than performance.
“It’s also fair to admit that it simply took Mick too long in his second season at Haas to find his footing and outperform his teammate. Formula 1 is merciless.”
Colapinto’s funding comes from the Argentine automobile club and sponsors Mercado Libre, Globant, Quilmes, YPF, and others.
“Once again, Argentina shows it can compete with the best,” said Globant co-founder Guibert Englebienne. “We knew it, now the world will know—Franco Colapinto, you are a genius.”
Note that in the Monza paddock this morning, organizers quickly placed the new driver’s sign with his No. 43… but wrote “Franco Colopinto”! The spelling error in the name will be corrected in time before the media session later today.
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Rookie Bet: Colapinto Buys Into F1 for $4.5M Rookie Bet: Colapinto Buys Into F1 for $4.5M