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New Williams driver Franco Colapinto has impressed F1 fans with his qualifying performance at the 2024 F1 Azerbaijan GP. The Williams driver clocked in fast laps during the session and was even P3 at one point.
In the Italian GP qualifying, Colapinto was fairly impressive as he secured P12 in the final race, only two places behind his experienced teammate Alex Albon. In the Azerbaijan GP, however, his on-track performance improved as he made it into Q3 along with Albon. Eventually, Colapinto secured P9 for Sunday's race, while his teammate is in P10.
F1's official X (formerly Twitter) handle posted a video of Colapinto's lap in Q1 that placed him in P3, among other top drivers like Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Charles Leclerc, and more.
Fans were delighted to see Williams' new driver perform brilliantly at Baku. One of them brought up the previous incumbent in the car, Logan Sargeant. Others praised the Argentinian for his lap that placed him in P3.
"Sargeant walked so that Colapinto could run," one fan joked.
"That's amazing to see Franco Colapinto making such a strong move up to P3 in the Williams" another said.
"Wow, this is impressive to watch! He's really pushing hard and it's paying off. He seems so comfortable out there, really in control of the car. Could he go all the way? This is getting exciting!" another fan wrote.
One fan mentioned a detail that could perhaps mean Cloapinto could have gone faster.
"Kissed the wall slightly," the fan wrote.
After Logan Sargeant's crash at the Dutch GP, Williams decided to replace the American with their junior driver, Colapinto. The Argentine driver was under the British team's umbrella since 2023 and was competing in the 2024 F2 Championship with MP Motorsport.
Franco Colapinto aims to score his first points in F1 at the Azerbaijan GP
Franco Colapinto had an amazing qualifying session at the 2024 F1 Azerbaijan GP. The Argentine secured P9 and was ahead of his more experienced teammate, Alex Albon, who was in P10.
Speaking to F1.com, he expressed his delight after a great qualifying. He said that Q3 was the target, which he and Williams achieved. He added he felt comfortable with the car.
Colapinto said,
"Very happy with the session. We were on it at the moment we needed to be and we got into Q3 which was the big, big target. I’m feeling every time better and more comfortable with the car, more comfortable with the team. So I think it’s a good direction to go and we’re doing well, we’re doing the steps needed, and I think there’s potential tomorrow for points."
The Azerbaijan GP will be Colapinto's second race start in the sport. As of now, he stands in 21st position in the drivers' standings with zero points.
