Franco Colapinto: A Dream Come True Racing Against Lewis Hamilton

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Franco Colapinto described his opportunity to race against Lewis Hamilton as a dream come true after making a notable impact during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Argentine driver managed to secure an eighth-place finish, benefiting from a late collision between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, which helped him climb the ranks. Colapinto, who was recently brought on by Williams to replace Logan Sargeant, clearly caught the attention of Hamilton during the race.

Hamilton, a seasoned driver, crossed the line in ninth, just behind Colapinto, with Haas’ Oliver Bearman rounding out the top ten. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 39-year-old Hamilton took a moment to acknowledge the young talent entering Formula 1.

He shared: “The weekend started with a lot of positives but by the end it was a tough one for all of us. Still, we recognize what went well and will learn from what didn't. It wasn't easy, but I'm proud of every member of this team for the hard work that got us to the end.

“Congrats to George [Russell] on the podium, and to @francolapinto and @olliebearman as well. It was a great fight, and it's amazing to see so much new talent coming in. Singapore soon, send good vibes.”

Colapinto was quick to respond, expressing his admiration for the seven-time world champion: “Lewis to shake hands with you after a race was one of the most special moments I've had in my life. Really appreciate how much respect you showed. really looking forward to be meeting you back on track soon!”

The 21-year-old, who is signed with Williams for the remainder of the season, shared his excitement on his Instagram story, writing: “It’s a dream come true to fight together on the track” adding in Spanish: “Is he your idol! Because yes, he is mine.”

The exchange followed a brief moment during Hamilton's post-race interview, where he momentarily forgot Colapinto’s name after McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed victory. “Oliver did a great job, racing against him... it was tough, but fair. And yeah, I don't remember that kid's name, for Williams... Colapinto! He did a great job today as well."

Colapinto’s performances have already started turning heads in the paddock, and if he continues at this pace, he won’t remain an unfamiliar name for long. Even Max Verstappen chimed in, acknowledging the rising star: "That's a very strong start. He just doesn't have a seat for next year, so that's a shame for him. But it's good in any case, he's already making a mark."