Colapinto rejects 'god-like' Messi comparison ahead of F1 debut

Franco Colapinto has rejected comparisons to Lionel Messi as he prepares to become the first Argentine to race in F1 for 23 years.

Colapinto has been drafted in by Williams to replace the axed Logan Sargeant, with the Academy driver partnering Alex Albon from the Italian GP onwards before Carlos Sainz arrives in 2025.

He is the first driver from Argentina to race in F1 since Gaston Mazzacane at the 2001 San Marino Grand Prix, with social media ablaze back across the country about Colapinto's debut. 

Messi is Argentina's greatest sportsperson since Diego Maradona, and in a lean period of sporting success, has emerged as a national figurehead, with joyous celebrations when he finally guided La Albiceleste to World Cup glory at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

When comparisons between his own situation and that of Messi were put to the 23-year-old Colapinto, he rejected it, but did acknowledge the significance of the moment.

"It is very difficult to feel like Leo Messi but I sometimes see that [fans] are comparing me and I am like: 'You guys are crazy' as Messi is like a god, and it is like: 'you cannot compare me,'" he told media including RacingNews365.

"But there have been 23 years without an F1 driver from Argentina, so it is making Argentinians very happy because it is a special moment for them and for me. 

"I think all the happiness that I have, many people have as well and it is a great way to end these years without a driver from our country. 

"I would have loved to support someone as a young kid from my country and now so many kids and people are getting into Formula 1, watching the Netflix series and they are all there pushing for me. It is great to see."

Colapinto's targets

When pressed on what the targets are for his nine-race spell, Colapinto insisted that he would take things slowly and build up, although he did point out that he is also an F2 rookie. 

"You cannot choose when you get to F1, and I have come in at a very special weekend at Monza, so I am very grateful to Williams for the chance," he said.

"My main focus is on trying to do the best job I can, the team has very clear targets which we are focusing on, so I am trying to learn as quickly as possible. 

"Everyone has given me a very warm welcome, but I am a rookie, also in Formula 2 as well, so I am not expecting much. 

"I just want to go step-by-step and focus on myself, that is the main thing and to be able to be focused on my job, to do what the team expects and I am more than sure that I can do it."