Argentina's F1 aspirations grow, but Colapinto encounters a challenging path.
"It would be incredible for the fans and for F1."
Franco Colapinto has expressed his enthusiasm for Argentina's increasing efforts to bring Formula 1 back to the country, but he acknowledges that the demands of the sport's top tier are greater than he had anticipated. The 21-year-old Alpine driver spoke on Thursday at Spa, commending the plans to reintroduce MotoGP to Buenos Aires in 2027 through a two-phase renovation of the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez, led by Hermann Tilke, which could potentially pave the way for F1.
"I think it's fantastic to have MotoGP return to Buenos Aires. The country is filled with passionate fans," Colapinto stated. "However, getting Formula 1 there could be more challenging, especially with the track modifications, which seem more suited for motorcycles than Formula 1 cars. It would be wonderful for the fans and for F1 to witness what can be accomplished in that setting. While it's definitely a dream of mine, it still feels a bit distant."
Despite the excitement and national support, Colapinto is facing pressure. After a strong start with Williams, his performances since taking over from Jack Doohan in 2025 have been moderate, and he admitted that converting from junior categories has been more challenging than he expected.
"Formula 2 is a fantastic championship, but it doesn’t completely prepare you for F1," he said. "All of a sudden, you’re surrounded by 30 engineers in a room instead of the two or three you're used to in Formula 2 – that’s quite a shock."
"You’re making a huge effort to go fast and earn points for over 1,000 people working at a factory to create the quickest car for just two drivers. It’s a massive undertaking. That's why Nico (Hulkenberg) and Fernando (Alonso) are alongside me – they possess a wealth of knowledge."
Fernando Alonso, who now also mentors young talents like Gabriel Bortoleto, was asked to provide advice to newcomers dealing with the pressure. "It's an extremely competitive atmosphere," Alonso remarked. "You must be prepared to deliver your best performance daily. When you fall short, be ready to accept criticism and strive to improve.
"There’s typically one winner, often dominating for five or six years straight. So, managing that frustration is essential."
Colapinto concurred: "Formula 1 is undoubtedly a tough sport," he stated. "With only twenty spots available, the journey to get here is always challenging. It requires significant effort and sacrifice. It’s the sport we all adore, and we’re very fortunate to participate."
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