Franco Colapinto continued his impressive start in Formula 1 at the Austin race, securing a point for Williams on a day when their closest championship rivals failed to score.
Starting from 15th, Colapinto was among five drivers who opted for a hard tire strategy, which paid off as he moved up the ranks during a lengthy first stint, ultimately finishing in 10th place. He demonstrated strong defensive skills, successfully fending off a charging Sergio Perez for several laps during the race.
After a challenging Saturday that included spins and disappointing Q1 exits, this result was particularly gratifying for Williams. Colapinto expressed his satisfaction, saying, “More than the point, I’m happy with our pace and how strong we were. After a tough Saturday, we bounced back and showed we were among the strongest in the midfield.”
Despite holding the fastest lap until the final moments, when Esteban Ocon’s pit stop for soft tires denied Williams that bonus point, the finish helped Williams extend their lead over Alpine in the championship to four points with five races left.
Colapinto reflected on the race, noting, “After a tough qualifying, I’m pleased with how we managed the tires and demonstrated our strength in clean air.
We were quick on the mediums until the end. I’m happy but still have a lot to learn and improve on.”
He also acknowledged the support from teammate Alex Albon, who, despite suffering damage early in the race, battled to slow down other competitors, allowing Colapinto to create a gap. Albon, who finished 16th, said, “I thought we might retire, but we played the long game and tried to help Franco.”
