Colapinto reacts to ‘insane’ F1 chance with Williams

“It was a complete rollercoaster,” he said, while beaming to the gathered media and processing his whirlwind week. “It was insane, to be honest!

“I was just with [my F2 team] MP [in the Netherlands] on Monday doing the preparation for the F2 race. I’d done the sim there all day, and then I had to fly in the evening to England to the Williams factory. It was already planned from many months ago.

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“It was there I realised I had a meeting with James [Vowles, Williams team boss] and with Sven [Smeets, Sporting Director]. They have been super supportive, not only today and not only here, giving me this chance and an amazing opportunity that I dreamt about years ago, also with the Silverstone Free Practice 1 in their home race.

“I think it also prepared me a little bit more for this chance and I am just super grateful to race for the team. I am very comfortable and I am extremely happy to be here today. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”