Franco Colapinto Hails Sergio Perez as a True Gentleman of F1: Exclusive Praise from the Rising Star

Rookie Williams driver Franco Colapinto has warmly welcomed the praise he received from Red Bull’s Sergio Perez following last weekend’s Singapore F1 Grand Prix.

Colapinto and Perez started 12th and 13th respectively in Singapore, and both drivers quickly moved up to ninth and 10th when the lights went out.

Perez, who remained behind Colapinto until the pit stop on lap 28, praised the Argentine’s defensive prowess on team radio during the race.

“He is very good and difficult to overtake,” Perez said.

This was a perfect compliment from F1’s defense minister, with Colapinto telling the media: “Checo (Perez) is a really nice guy.”

“I grew up watching him race in F1, waking up early in the morning in Argentina and rooting for him because he is the closest Mexican driver to us.

“It was really fun to cheer for him and even better to race with him.”

The battle between the two was resolved when Perez pitted three laps before Colapinto, who changed tires on lap 31.

Perez made a successful undercut and Carlos Sainz Jr., who had pitted early, raced through the pack, relegating Colapinto to 11th place at the end of the race.

Perez: Colapinto had a ‘great race’
Despite showing excellent defense and dropping points, Perez praised Colapinto the most after the match.

“He ran a great race,” Perez said of Colapinto. “He never made a mistake.”

“At that time it was very difficult to catch up to him and it was just a difficult race.”

“We managed to beat him in the end, but it was the only thing we could do.”

James Bowles is satisfied with the results obtained by Franco Colapinto.

Colapinto looks forward to the remaining races with trepidation

As it stands, there are only six rounds left in F1 before Colapinto is out of the race again.

Williams has a full driver lineup for 2025 with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr., so Colapinto will have to return to F2 or become a reserve driver.

Unless Colapinto wins Sauber’s battle for second place, the remaining races will be his chance to remind the F1 paddock of his talent.

“It’s good to catch up over the fall break and try to continue to progress as a team,” Colapinto added.

“There are still some things to work on. It’s good to get some rest.”

“There will be some upgrades on my car for the next race and hopefully it will be really good.”

Colapinto, Williams, Perez and Red Bull will return to racing at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, October 18-20.

Category: F1 / Franco Colapinto / Williams running / F1 Singapore GP