Whether it’s during the Formula 1 weekends or during the weeks off from the track, Franco Colapinto never stops making headlines. As a guest on the Spanish show El Hormiguero, he won over the audience with a very entertaining interview.
Nowadays, being a Formula 1 driver involves many other commitments beyond on-track activities, including frequent television appearances. Starting with James Hunt, the perception of F1 drivers has completely changed, shifting from a more serious conception to a more rebellious and charismatic one. Following this trend, Franco Colapinto’s name is on everyone’s lips: the Argentine driver, who is first on the grid after years, took over from Logan Sargeant starting from the Italian Grand Prix this season.
The 2003-born driver has managed to captivate an impressive audience, evoking the charisma that Ayrton Senna, also South American like Colapinto, used to convey during interviews. Two days ago, the Williams driver was a guest on the Spanish show El Hormiguero, where his spontaneity was the secret weapon for one of the best interviews of the season, attracting impressive viewership numbers. 4,660,000 people tuned in, compared to the usual two million during the broadcast.
The interview quickly turned into a true television spectacle, and from the very beginning, Colapinto made it clear what direction the conversation would take: “Maybe we don’t talk much about Formula 1 because you have no idea what it’s about. You’re lost and you’re asking me questions…“…before continuing with, “Don’t talk to me too much about Formula 1, I’m bored with interviews about the circuit“, always with a witty and ironic tone.
There was so much fun, but there were also serious and deep responses from the 21-year-old Argentine, who recalled his experience in Italy as a young driver chasing his dream, along with the difficulties he faced: “I left for Italy at 14, without any family members, not speaking Italian, and living in a factory. I didn’t know how to cook, I didn’t know how to do anything, I was quite skinny, and I don’t think I ever changed the sheets… I missed out on many things in life because I had to grow up quickly. I had a twenty-year-old’s life while living like a kid. It was tough, but I knew it was the only way to get to where I wanted to be, and I would do it a thousand times over.“.
Thus, the interview alternated between serious moments and light-hearted tones; in fact, when it was time to discuss the future of the young Argentine with Pablo Motos, Colapinto responded with a jab at Carlos Sainz:I don’t have a team for 2025 Carlos will take my place. Your countryman… Can you tell Carlitos if he’s going to another team?“.
Photo: El Hormiguero