Williams will exercise their rookie driver mandate to give F2 race winner Franco Colapinto a drive, with Logan Sargeant sitting out the first practice.
In his first season, Colapinto, who attends Williams’ program, is presently ranked sixth in the Formula Two standings. His involvement in Formula 1 is a “historic moment” for Argentina, which has produced 25 Formula 1 racers, the most recent of which was Gastón Mazzacane in 2001. Other notable drivers from the nation include Carlos Reutemann and the renowned Juan Manuel Fangio.
In Formula One, Williams announces the switch to Logan Sargeant.
Sargeant’s hopes of recovering soon, having finished last among the runners in Austria, will have to wait as the American will miss Silverstone’s opening practice.
Williams has chosen to use Colapinto in the vehicle this weekend in compliance with the rule that teams must run a rookie in at least two FP1 sessions this season.
In his first F2 campaign, he has already finished on the podium in the Barcelona and Austria feature races, won the race in Imola, and scored four more points for MP Motorsport.
His promotion to Formula Two came after an outstanding sophomore campaign in the FIA Formula Three Championship, where he finished fourth in the Drivers’ Championship with two race victories, including one at Silverstone, three more podiums, and fourteen points finishes overall.
Although it will be his second time driving a Formula 1 car, the session will mark his FP1 debut. Last year, he drove the FW45 during the Abu Dhabi young driver test.
As Silverstone race week gets underway, more
He remarked, “I’m so emotional.” “I am ecstatic, and this is a pivotal time for both my profession and my life. I’ll be as ready as I can be, logging plenty of laps in the simulator and studying the specifics required to operate this year’s vehicle.
After driving the new vehicle in Abu Dhabi last year, I’m particularly looking forward to using the new one. It is a joy to be able to drive it at one of my favorite tracks, Silverstone, and it means a lot to be able to drive it in the team’s home event.
“To every fan from Argentina – I sincerely hope you have as much fun with FP1 as I do! This is a crucial time for our nation, and I am incredibly appreciative of all the help I’ve received. I’m going to do everything in my power to please you!