Who is Franco Colapinto, the Charismatic F1 Star Who Won Over Bizarrap
At just 21 years old, he made his debut in 2024 with the Williams Racing team, marking the return of an Argentine driver to the top motorsport series
Franco Colapinto, born in Pilar, Argentina, is one of the most promising rising stars in Formula 1. At just 21 years old, he made his debut in 2024 with the Williams Racing team, marking the return of an Argentine driver to the top motorsport series after more than two decades. His performance, combined with his charisma, has caught the attention of both the motorsport community and fans back home in Argentina.
At the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Colapinto faced a setback when he was involved in a crash during qualifying, hitting the wall with a force exceeding 50G. The incident resulted in a concussion, although fortunately, no permanent injuries were sustained. This blow temporarily halted his momentum and raised concerns about the physical and mental pressures young drivers face in Formula 1.
«I had a concussion and they [Williams] told me I couldn’t speak to anyone [the journalists], they sent me confused to the hotel, I wasn’t that sad,» he added. Regarding the qualifying, Franco regretted missing out on Q3 due to the crash, as he was on a fast lap and was in the fight for a good position. «There are many positive things, I could have scored points, so we need to work for Qatar,» he concluded.
After the season wrapped up, Colapinto expressed uncertainty about his future, revealing that a spot on the 2025 grid is not guaranteed. This uncertainty highlights the highly competitive nature of the sport and the availability of seats for next season. «I don’t know when I will race again,» he said, emphasizing the challenges of establishing oneself in such a high-stakes environment.
Connection with Bizarrap
An interesting aspect of Colapinto’s career outside of racing is his relationship with Argentine music producer Bizarrap. The two met in 2023 when Colapinto was still racing in lower categories, through an initiative aimed at promoting emerging Argentine talent. Since then, Bizarrap has been a strong supporter of Colapinto, mentioning him on social media and in interviews. While no formal commercial agreement has been confirmed, their friendship has helped bring a younger, more diverse audience to Formula 1.
Impact in Argentina and the Sport
Colapinto has been instrumental in reigniting interest in motorsport in Argentina. His rise to prominence has sparked conversations about the return of the Argentine Grand Prix, an event not held since 1998. Local authorities are exploring the possibility of modernizing the Buenos Aires Autodrome to meet FIA standards, driven by Colapinto’s popularity as a media figure.
As Red Bull and Alpine show interest in signing him, Colapinto’s future depends on several factors, including his current contract with Williams and the availability of seats with other competitive teams. Colapinto is seen as a disruptive talent, but his consistency and ability to handle pressure will determine if he can solidify his place in Formula.
Controversy with Argentine Actress China Suárez
In late 2024, Colapinto found himself embroiled in a media controversy related to his personal life. The young driver was photographed in Madrid with Argentine actress and model María Eugenia «China» Suárez, which quickly went viral on social media. The 11-year age gap between them, coupled with Suárez’s notoriety in the media due to her past relationships and scandals, led to a flurry of negative comments from some fans. Colapinto responded in a relaxed manner, saying it was «his proudest moment» on Instagram, although he later deleted it.
📷La China Suarez y Franco Colapinto juntos en Madrid
El video, publicado en la cuenta del Ejército de LAM, se viralizó en redes y generó una reacción negativa en los fans del piloto, quienes tomaron las redes para mostrar su descontento con la relación. pic.twitter.com/0OoPEdjaZG
— Somos Provincia (@ProvinciaSomos) November 24, 2024
Suárez, for her part, took a dismissive approach to the criticism, sharing a supportive message from a follower and making it clear that she was happy and not harming anyone. This also led to a response from Colapinto’s team director, Jamie Campbell-Walter, who defended his right to live his personal life away from the media spotlight.
Despite the controversy, Colapinto has remained focused on his racing career, working to overcome the obstacles posed both by the world of motorsport and the media distractions surrounding his personal life.