Williams’ Franco Colapinto said earning the first points of his Formula 1 career at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a “dream come true.”
The Argentine, in just his second Grand Prix, recovered from a crash in opening practice to punch his way into the top-10 shootout in qualifying.
Starting the race from eighth on the grid, Colapinto was among the first of the medium-tyre runners to pit and dropped out of the top 10 during his extended Hard tyre stint.
But the race came back to the Williams driver and he finished eighth, becoming the first Argentine to finish in the top-10 since Carlos Reutemann in 1982.
Moreover, Alex Albon finished seventh to give Williams its first double-point result of the season.
“It feels fantastic to be honest,” Colapinto told Formula 1.
“I am very happy, very proud of the team. What we have achieved together is incredible and I am delighted for the job and the work we have been doing.
“A lot of effort goes into these points and we already climbed one position in the constructors’ championship and it’s only my second race together and we scored a lot of points together with Alex so it’s just an amazing result for the team.
“I am very happy for them, they deserve it so yeah, let’s keep going this way.
“It is very special, a dream come true.
“It is a long season still and we have many races left together but it is a great start. Very motivating for the next race.”
I deserve a seat in F1′, says Colapinto
Colapinto was drafted in mid-season, plucked from a rookie Formula 2 campaign to replace Logan Sargeant.
Williams gambled on its Academy prospect giving the team a greater chance of points.
Colapinto has delivered on that expectation in just his second outing, outscoring Sargeant’s effort across 36 appearances.
Speaking to the written media, Colapinto added: “They showed so much confidence and trust in putting me in a seat.
“It was a very difficult bet, and a bet that many people didn’t understand.
“But I hope to be showing what I’m capable of and that I deserve a seat in Formula 1.
“The idea and the opportunity that James [Vowles] gave me are helping me to show that. I am just doing a lot of work to try to learn quick.”
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