Colapinto: Monza race will be “learning session”

Adam Cooper
01/09/2024

Franco Colapinto admits that the Italian GP will be a “learning session” for him as he makes his first Formula 1 start with Williams.

The Argentine driver qualified 18th after a running wide on his last lap and missing the chance to progress to Q2.

Thus far he hasn’t run a stint longer than eight laps over the three practice sessions at Monza, and thus has much to learn in a race where tyre management is expected to be critical.

“It’s a pity,” he said when asked by formu1a.uno about his session. “I think we were looking strong, and after FP3 I felt a good result. It was looking like we were quite competitive, and I was building and trying to understand more the car.

“Unfortunately, that mistake that cost me a lot, but I think it’s just part of the process, and I need to keep working and looking forward. Let’s see how it is tomorrow the race, it’s going be long, but I’m looking forward to understanding better the car.”

Regarding his error Colapinto said: “With a bit of understeer, it was quite on the limit that lap, and I couldn’t catch it back.

“So just a little mistake that cost me, of course a lot, maybe a chance of going into Q2, it was only one-tenth. so it’s a pity, but it’s part of it, and I’m going to get much stronger soon I think.”

Colapinto agreed that making the chequered flag will be a key part of his learning curve.

“It is important, I think it’s going be a nice learning session for me to try and understand better the tyres,” he said. “I think it’s the most difficult part, and I need to keep understanding how the current tyres work.

“It’s going to be tough. I want to try and learn them the most I can from the session, and try to understand more the tyres. I think that is the most important part. And let’s see how it goes.”

Colapinto acknowledged that he has to show progress in the coming races.

“I’ve just done a couple of laps so far in an F1 car, so it’s just a start,” he said. “But I feel like we have good potential, and that I have to do, of course, a step in the next couple of races.

“It’s been a decent start. It’s going to be a good few races to go, and good to get experience here in how to manage tyres. It’s going to be really hot tomorrow, and it’s going be nice to understand how to manage the tyres.”

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