F1 Beyond The Grid Franco Colapinto: how boy from Buenos Aires made F1 breakthrough
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Sep 23, 2025 
Franco Colapinto, the first Argentine F1 driver in 23 years, shares his inspiring journey from Buenos Aires to Formula 1 success. He recalls the emotional highs of scoring points for Argentina after decades, the excitement back home, and the sacrifices he made by moving to Europe as a teenager. Franco compares his experiences at Williams and Alpine, discusses dynamics with teammate Pierre Gasly, and highlights the influence of F1 legend Ayrton Senna on his career. Tune in for tales of resilience and ambition in the high-speed world of motorsport!
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Rapid F1 Breakthrough
- Franco scored points in only his second F1 race, becoming Argentina's first scorer since 1982.
- He used that result to motivate his small side of the garage and unite the team early on.
Teenage Move To Italy
- At 14 Franco moved alone to Italy and lived above a kart factory while racing in Europe.
- He learned independence quickly by cooking, going to malls alone and maturing several years in months.
Rubens' Unexpected Pep Talk
- After a costly crash Franco found motivation when Rubens Barrichello visited and encouraged him privately.
- That conversation convinced Franco he could make it despite being a South American outsider.