Colapinto's Lone Teen Years: F1 Dreams Far from Home

The Williams F1 driver reflects on his struggles, describing the sacrifices made in pursuit of his racing dream.

Williams F1 driver Franco Colapinto recently spoke about the unique challenges South American drivers encounter when aiming for a career in Formula 1. Reflecting on his own journey, Colapinto shared how difficult his teenage years were as he navigated the sport far from home.

“It’s fantastic to see progress. I think it shows things are improving,” Colapinto said. “Lewis has spoken several times about the challenges he faced. I had plenty of my own. Leaving my country for Europe at such a young age was incredibly tough.”

“When you’re far from family, it’s hard. As a European, you finish a race, hop on a plane for an hour, and you’re home with your family that evening – it’s completely normal.”

“For me, though, it was the complete opposite. At 14, I was living alone. After a tough weekend, I would have loved a hug, but that wasn’t an option. You’re entirely on your own, which makes things that bit harder.”

Colapinto From Argentine Roots to F1’s Isolated Path

He acknowledged the financial burden as the greatest hurdle, saying, “Of course, the budget aspect is the toughest part, and that’s why we struggle so much. I think there’s so much talent in South America, and when someone is given an opportunity, they show it. That’s the most important thing. I feel things are better today.”

Colapinto also praised efforts to improve driver inclusion, particularly those by Lewis Hamilton. “Lewis has said how important it is for him to be welcoming and to give back in ways he felt were lacking in his time. And I feel it’s so much better now. I have a lot of support.”

“Everyone around me has been incredibly supportive. They’ve included me in all areas, which is really encouraging to see. It’s exciting to see how we’re progressing as a society. And yes, the drivers too – everyone has been so welcoming. It’s wonderful. The respect Lewis has shown over recent races has been remarkable.”

“Since I arrived, it has been something very special and important for me, and I think it’s crucial for the sport as well,” Colapinto remarked. “It would be fantastic if another South American joins in the future, and if I can stay long enough for there to be two of us, that would be incredible. Let’s hope.”

The Argentine driver was then asked about the Argentine racers who have inspired him, despite not having seen any during his childhood, with the last being Gastón Mazzacane in 2001. “Of course, starting with Fangio, and then for me, it was also ‘Lolé’. I think he was the last truly strong Argentine in Formula 1,” Colapinto said.

“The last one to win races and fight for championships. I’ve even paid tribute to him with my helmet, which is very similar to the one he used to wear. It’s thrilling to sport that helmet and have this opportunity. And then there’s [Juan Maria] Traverso.”

“Traverso is the one who raced in Argentina, winning numerous titles. I grew up listening to his incredible interviews and watching his races. There was one time he won in a car that was on fire, and another time with a car running on three wheels. I was brought up on those stories.”

“I think these three—Fangio, Lolé, and Traverso—have truly left a lasting legacy in the sport, both in Argentina and for the nation. But it has been a long time since any of them raced, which isn’t ideal. We haven’t had an Argentine driver in Formula 1 for a long time, and growing up, I never had anyone from my country to cheer for.”

“I never had that figure. Maybe Checo [Sergio Pérez] was there when I was young, and I supported him because he was from Mexico. But I never had an Argentine driver. I believe that’s something kids today have with me, and it’s incredibly heartwarming and positive to see.”