Lando Norris offered his wisdom to Franco Colapinto (Image: Getty)
’s manager has revealed how offered advice to the new F1 star at a dinner around the Brazilian Grand Prix. The young Argentinian debuted with in 2024 but could not find a seat on the 2025 grid.
Colapinto’s breakthrough hit the F1 world with full force. The 21-year-old scored points in two of his first four Grands Prix and captured the hearts of an adoring and passionate South American crowd.
The Pilar-born racer now has an following of over 4.4 million, and his F1 exploits have changed his life forever. Colapinto is now a national hero, as proven by the legions of Argentinian motorsport fans who flocked to fill out the grandstands at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in November.
According to Colapinto’s agent, Maria Catarineu, the former Williams star has adapted to the unique pressures generated by the celebrity status that follows F1 drivers thanks to the advice of one of his best friends in the paddock, Norris.
“I remember that we talked a lot about this topic,” Catarineu told Corezon de F1. “One of the nights in Brazil, we were having dinner with Lando, and he was just talking about how he had to adapt to Franco, how this adaptation is and how you don’t go back, but you get used to the new situation. I think Franco is fine. He likes it, and he is having a great time.”
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Franco Colapinto is F1’s latest sensation (Image: Getty)
While Colapinto is set to start the 2025 campaign on the sidelines, he won’t be far from the glare of the TV cameras. He was snapped up by Alpine on a five-year contract, as confirmed by his manager, with Flavio Briatore preparing him as a replacement for Jack Doohan, should the Australian fail to impress in his first six races.
If Colapinto does get the call-up, he is ready to step in. “Today, there are two drivers who are under contract, and that is something that is beyond us,” Catarineu said in an interview with .
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“That will be up to the team to decide. I don’t know if he will make his debut in Australia (the season opener), Miami (round six) or wherever. What I do know is that Franco proved he can race and that’s why Alpine signed him.”
As for Norris, his 2025 aspirations are significant. The star guided his team to their first Constructors’ Championship title since 1998 last time around but fell agonisingly short of securing his own title. The aim for the Brit is simple – avenge his pain and beat and to the crown.