Colapinto's sponsor reverses its prediction for Imola.

Colapinto's sponsor reverses its prediction for Imola.

      "What I mean is that I hope he competes in Imola."

      Franco Colapinto's sponsorship took a step back after it was announced that the young Argentine will replace Jack Doohan at Alpine "in Imola." One of the key supporters for the 21-year-old rookie Colapinto is the Argentine oil company YPF, whose president appeared on the local channel A24 earlier this week.

      "When asked when Colapinto, the new team reserve, would start racing in Doohan’s position this year, YPF president Horacio Marin chuckled, 'I can’t tell you that.' However, when the end credits were rolling and Marin thought his microphone had been turned off, he quietly told the interviewer, 'In Imola.'

      This clip quickly gained attention online, which led to a change in Marin's stance during a later appearance on another Argentine network, LN Mas. "What I mean is that I hope he competes in Imola," Marin clarified. "And if that takes place, he’ll contact me."

      Marin emphasized that he is not aware of Colapinto’s schedule, even though a debut in Imola in a little over two weeks would likely involve YPF. "How can I obtain this information if I’m YPF's president and not Colapinto’s representative?" Marin questioned. "I have a great relationship with him, but I’m not in constant communication."

      Marin recalled making a similar light-hearted prediction last year, shortly before Colapinto took over for Logan Sargeant mid-season at Williams. "When I saw Franco, I told him he would debut in two weeks," he shared. "I mentioned that the guy over there (Sargeant) would get sidetracked and crash his car, leading them to call him. Later, he approached me and asked how I knew," Marin laughed. "I wish I had bought a lottery ticket and won a fortune. It’s essentially the same situation."

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Colapinto's sponsor reverses its prediction for Imola.

Formula 1 | Franco Colapinto's sponsor pulled back after it was announced that the young Argentine would replace Jack Doohan at Alpine in Imola. One (…)