Argentines Flocking to Watch F1 Driver Colapinto at Brazilian GP

Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
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Argentines Flocking to Watch F1 Driver Colapinto at Brazilian GP

Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)

Thanks to Franco Colapinto, Spanish can be heard all over the Brazilian Grand Prix.

That's because thousands of Argentines have flocked to Interlagos to cheer their newest sports star in Formula 1.

The charismatic Colapinto finished the Mexican GP last weekend in 12th position, out of the points positions. But the 21-year-old Williams driver has earned five points since the Italian GP on Sept. 1, which was five points more than his predecessor Logan Sargeant managed all year.

At least 10,000 Argentines have come to Sao Paulo, according to estimates by tourism agencies. That is one sixth of those expected to attend the Interlagos track this weekend.

Argentine supporters were already in the stands during Friday practice and sprint race qualifying, showing off the national colors on hats, flags and soccer T-shirts in hope of inspiring Colapinto, the only South American on the grid.

"Franco, 46 million Argentinians are with you," read one banner. "Be strong."

Most Argentines have fading memories of watching five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio (1950-58) or Carlos Reutemann (1972-82) win races. Gastón Mazzacane (2000-01) was the most recent Argentine to drive until Colapinto arrived, and he didn't score a point.

Fashion designer Anna Rosatti, 52, has come to her first F1 grand prix because of Colapinto, and childhood memories of celebrating Argentine success on TV.

"I used to watch Carlos Reutermann with my parents," she said. "Colapinto's story of fighting hard, falling and coming back reminds me of my childhood, of what it is to be Argentine." She was in the Interlagos paddock, carrying three national flags and wearing a cap celebrating Argentina's World Cup soccer title in 2022.

Brazilian fans such as Felipe Santos, 42, are also keen to see Colapinto do well at Interlagos.

"He is funny, but he is also a fighter. We love this here," Santos said. "This is not soccer, no Brazil vs. Argentina. It is racing, and anyone who likes racing likes his style."

Williams team principal James Vowles said on Friday he was speaking to other teams about finding a place for Colapinto next year.

"We are actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well, and protects all parties," Vowles said.

Later, in sprint race qualifying, Colapinto knocked out former F1 champion Fernando Alonso en route to 14th place, five behind his Williams teammate Alexander Albon. Still, Colapinto was happy about his prospects and the support of compatriots at Interlagos.

"It was just amazing to see all the support I received here, those travelling fans coming to the race and creating such a joyful atmosphere," Colapinto said. "It was a hard afternoon, but let's see what we can do tomorrow. There's a lot still to happen this weekend."



Gauff Beats Pegula at WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia

Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 3, 2024 Coco Gauff of the US celebrates winning her women's singles group stage match against Jessica Pegula of the US REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 3, 2024 Coco Gauff of the US celebrates winning her women's singles group stage match against Jessica Pegula of the US REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
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Gauff Beats Pegula at WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia

Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 3, 2024 Coco Gauff of the US celebrates winning her women's singles group stage match against Jessica Pegula of the US REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
Tennis - WTA Finals - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 3, 2024 Coco Gauff of the US celebrates winning her women's singles group stage match against Jessica Pegula of the US REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel

Coco Gauff enjoyed a successful start by beating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-2 in an American matchup at the WTA Finals on Sunday.
Second-seeded Iga Swiatek rallied to beat Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in her first match in two months.
Gauff converted five of her eight break-point opportunities to win her opening match at the year-ending tournament for the top eight ranked players.
“I thought we both were playing high level,” The Associated Press quoted Gauff as saying. “I just think I was able to break through on the more important points.”
Gauff will face Swiatek on Tuesday with the winner taking control of the Orange Group. Pegula will next face Wimbledon champion Krejcikova.
Swiatek, who arrived at the WTA Finals with a new coach, hadn’t played a match since losing to Pegula in straight sets in the US Open quarterfinals in September.
“Even though I played a lot of those (practice) matches, I kind of forgot for a while how it is to feel all those things, a bit different stress and emotions," Swiatek said. "For sure, I needed some time to adapt. The most important thing was that even though it happened, I managed to fight through that. And was patient enough to wait to get better.”
Swiatek rallied from 3-0 down in the second set to turn it around against Krejcikova, who has been hit by injuries and had played only 29 matches coming into the finals. Seven of them were victories at Wimbledon.
On Saturday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka eased to a straight-set victory over Zheng Qinwen in the opening match of the finals in Saudi Arabia. Fourth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy beat fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina in the other Purple Group match.