(Motorsport-Total.com) – Before the Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto was asked why, compared to previous generations, so few drivers from South America make it into Formula 1. “Well, we are really far from Europe,” emphasizes the Alpine driver.
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“I have said this many times, but we really went through a lot to get here. It was enormously difficult, you had to sacrifice a lot, make many tough decisions. And I believe every Formula 1 driver has to make these decisions.”
“But if you come from a country on the other side of the world, then it is even more difficult,” emphasizes Colapinto. The Argentine is the first representative of his home country in Formula 1 since Gaston Mazzacane in the early 2000s. The last world championship title for the nation was won by Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957.
Big gamble for the career
“I came here very young,” says Colapinto. “But that was my decision, extremely risky, but fortunately it paid off.”
Furthermore, the 23-year-old emphasizes how difficult it is for South Americans to succeed in European motorsport. “I don’t want to say it’s easier for [European kids],” says Colapinto.
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“But it is more practical. After the race, you are with your family in the evening, while I was alone in the factory. Such situations really made it difficult, but it also significantly lowers the chances.”
“And yet we are actually better at driving,” emphasizes the Alpine driver. According to his own statement, Colapinto first had the chance to race karts in Europe at the age of 14. Nevertheless, he emphasizes: “The sport is getting bigger and the support is steadily increasing.”
Growing popularity in South America
“The chances are getting better and better for Brazilians, Argentinians, even ordinary citizens. And I believe that has at least a little to do with me since I have been in Formula 1.”
“That makes me very proud and I am very happy because I know how hard it is. Since I have been in Formula 1, I feel like I have opened up a little.”
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In Argentina, Colapinto already excites the masses despite his fluctuating performances. At the beginning of the year, hundreds of thousands of fans were on the streets of Buenos Aires to see their hero live in an Alpine.
“That opened many doors a little wider,” says Colapinto about the fan hype. “That makes me very proud because, you know, since I was a little boy, I have been a huge fan of Ayrton [Senna]. Because of him, I fell in love with the sport and started following Formula 1.”
“His influence in Formula 1, in any other sports, on the fans, I always orient myself by that, and I appreciate it continuously.”
Hype in double pack
Besides the inspiration from Senna or the impact of Fangio, Colapinto also mentions the success of the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto, who also contributes to the youngest hype in South America.
“We both managed it in the same year, representing our countries and living our dream at the same time,” says Colapinto. “That is fantastic and I think we are really doing well.”
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“It has been a long time since we had Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico in this sport, and I believe this will give a big boost. And it will help other kids in the future to get here. That is our goal: We work together to try to make the sport a little bigger in our home countries.”
The last South American to become Formula 1 world champion was Ayrton Senna in 1991. The last Grand Prix win went to Felipe Massa in 2008 at the legendary Brazilian Grand Prix.
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