Argentine race driver Franco Colapinto is gearing up for his debut with Alpine F1 next Sunday, and he shared some of his thoughts ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

Unlike last year, when Williams Racing confirmed him for the remainder of the 2024 season, the 21-year-old driver was only confirmed for the seat over the next five races, so he will have to bring in the goods to make the spot his. 

Luckily for Colapinto, his first race will be hosted at Imola’s Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, a venue he knows well.

“Imola is a track I really enjoy,” he told the Alpine F1 press team. “It is just a legendary place with some great corners, which I am especially looking forward to in a Formula One car for the first time.”

The Argentine has been very successful on Italian tracks, and he admits they feel “like a very special place” for him. Colapinto made his F1 debut in Monza last year, where he got his first Formula Renault win in 2020, and will now do so at Imola, the track where he claimed wins in both Formula 3 and Formula 2.

He insisted he’s “very excited to be going into race week” for the first time since he left Williams Racing and eager to showcase what he can do in the car.

Colapinto’s seat is far from secure. Upon announcing him as the replacement for Australia’s Jack Doohan, Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore said the team were eager to have a “fair assessment of the drivers” with their eyes on the 2026 season. 

“The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different, and after this time period we will assess our options,” said the Italian, who is now in charge of the team following the resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes.

Colapinto said he’s determined to prove it was the right decision.

“I will aim to work hard with the team and try to get on the pace quickly in order to contribute to the team’s ambitions for the weekend,” he said, adding that has so far enjoyed “a great first few months” at the team’s base in Enstone, England, first at the simulator and then testing the 2023 car in TPC runs.

“I am definitely feeling ready and prepared,” he concluded.