'Colapinto is doing what Verstappen did in the Netherlands in Argentina'

On a flight from a low budget airline - not extreme luxury - Colapinto flew to Williams' factory in England last week to prepare for the Italian Grand Prix. Surprised by the call for Colapinto? "I think Williams has done what every Formula 1 team should do: In this kind of situation, give a junior from your own Academy the chance," Sander Dorsman said in a conversation with GPblog.

"It gives him a fantastic opportunity. If they continue with him as a reserve driver next year, they will have someone with relevant Formula 1 experience. I think it's a logical choice. As James Vowles (Williams team boss) said: 'What's the point of putting Antonelli in?' He is not doing as well as Franco in F2 and will be driving with another team next year anyway, so you are training for Mercedes."

Is Colapinto ready for Formula 1?

In his debut year in the Formula 2 championship, Colapinto was fifth before the call from Williams came. At Monza, he debuted more than creditably, but will he do as well in the remaining races? "No doubt he will need a run-up in Formula 1," MP Motorsport's team boss believes. "But the best practice is to just get in and race. You can't practise that on a simulator, you just have to do that."

"You can't simulate the pressure that comes with it. Look at Kimi (Antonelli) in FP1 at Monza. You can do so many private test days, without any media around, here there is still a different pressure. It's a big leap of faith for Franco. It won't be the easiest races for him. Because after Monza come circuits he has never been to before. The only one he has been to is Abu Dhabi. On the other hand, he needs to focus on himself, try to drive very maturely. He doesn't let himself get crazy easily."

Colapinto had a long-standing relationship with Dutch MP Motorsport. He had already driven for the team in Formula Renault, FRECA, Formula 3 and, until recently, Formula 2. Dorsman knows the Argentinian like no other. "He is a very amicable guy, but also really a team player. He really knows how to make all the people in the team work for him. On the other hand, if you put him in the car, he goes all over you. He wants one thing and that is to win. With him in the car, it's never boring. He always does surprising things. Such overtaking in Imola was typical Franco, he doesn't go for P2. On the last lap, Paul Aron made a mini mistake; Franco goes on, and bam: He won it. That's the winner's mentality you like to see in a driver."

Argentina ecstatic thanks to Colapinto

Argentina is buzzing now they have another F1 driver. "With us already you noticed that his support base is huge. When he was announced by us from F3 to F2, that was already not normal. He was in Argentina then and I got videos, the whole street was full of cheering fans and he stood on the balcony like some kind of pope. Now it has completely exploded in Argentina. This country is busy looking for a Formula One hero. This is something they craved and what Franco brings to them. They get a lot of energy from this, like Messi does in football. He can't cross the street there," says Dorsman, who draws a comparison with Max Verstappen in the Netherlands.

"The sport was not super popular in our country, but since Max Verstappen, the whole country is motorsport minded. It's the same with Franco. Super nice to see that; new people getting passion for the sport. Pretty nice what such a young guy can bring about."

MP Motorsport hopes to bring Colapinto back in 2025

For now, Colapinto will complete the rest of the season in Formula 1, but there is no place at Williams for next season. In 2025, Carlos Sainz will take his place. Dorsman confirmed that MP Motorsport are talking to Williams about bringing Colapinto back to F2 next season. "Yes, it is quite a step back when you have tasted F1. On the other hand, what is your alternative? That you do nothing? I don't know if that works out well for everyone."

"Nobody will expect to drive in the top five right away with Williams. But if you leave a solid impression, you never know what will happen. Suppose Sainz says after a year: 'I have a better option elsewhere and I leave with a clause in my contract'. Perhaps Franco will then be in pole position to replace him. Everyone now knows who Franco Colapinto is. This is the golden ticket you want as a driver, now it's up to him."