Williams Racing Driver Academy driver Franco Colapinto started Saturday’s sprint race from the second row on the grid after finishing ninth in Qualifying. Despite the rain on the horizon, Colapinto and MP Motorsport opted for slick tyres. Franco had a blinding start and passed two cars at once into Turn 3, moving up to second place in spectacular fashion.
The heavy rain arrived on Lap 8 with most of the grid still on slicks, the Safety Car was called to the track, neutralising the race. Colapinto was in third place behind Montoya and Barnard at this point and even though some drivers boxed for wet tyres, the Argentinian stayed out on slicks.
The 30-driver-strong field was released after four laps behind the safety car with the leading pair going wheel to wheel, ending up having contact into Turn 1 that allowed Franco to take the lead with five laps to go.
He steered the Williams Racing liveried car into victory on the F1 team’s home soil, claiming his second win of the season (Editor’s note: Colapinto won the Sprint Race in Melbourne earlier this year, but all three of MP Motorsport’s drivers were disqualified after the race for a minor technical infringement.)
This comes just one week after the tragic events at Spa-Francorchamps which claimed the life of MP Motorsport driver and Franco’s former teammate Dilano van ‘t Hoff. Colapinto dedicated his win to the Dutch driver and his team, going through tough times.
Franco Colapinto:
“It was really tricky out there. The car felt amazing, and I had good pace right from the start, making up some places, then I just lost the rear at Maggotts and Becketts, because it was still really wet. Then, it was all in the hands of the team and they decided to stay out on slicks I was not so sure about it but I trusted them and they made the right decision. I’m very happy for them. They did an amazing job and as we already said before, this one was for Dilano. MP Motorsport is going through a really tough time and I’m really happy to take the win, for him, for the family and for Sander (Dorsman, Team Principal of MP Motorsport) I am happy with the win, got some good points in the bag, but I am more happy for giving him this win. It was also a special feeling to stand on top of the podium at Silverstone as a Williams Racing Driver Academy driver. I am glad I could give the team a win at their home track. I am grateful to them for their support, and to Visit Argentina, YPF, ROFGO Racing and PAP for their help.“
Maria Catarineu, Commercial Director, Bullet Sports Management:
“Franco delivered an absolute masterclass on Saturday. His ability to adapt to the changing conditions was impressive to watch. Silverstone is a challenging circuit when it’s dry, but Franco has mastered it in the rain on slicks. We are proud of his achievement and it is fantastic to see all the hard work he is putting in paying off. He spends endless days in the simulator and trains really hard with PAP’s guidance and results like this prove that he s on the right path.”
Franco finished P8 in Sunday’s chaotic Feature Race, adding some more valuable points to his tally and maintaining P6 in the championship with three more rounds to go. FIA F3 next races at the Hungaroring in Budapest on 21-23 July.
