Argentine driver Franco Colapinto had a great start to his Formula 1 career, finishing 12th in his debut at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix. He made history in May as the first Argentine since 2001 to partake in a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and his path to stardom was partly built by the backing of several Argentine sponsors. 

One of the first to hop on board was YPF. “We are proud to join Franco in this stage of his career,” said the company’s Communications Manager Santiago Carreras in January 2023 when the deal was announced. ”We are convinced every time he goes out on the track that he is representing all Argentine men and women and that’s why he should have the backing of YPF.”

Then came the driver’s most famous backer, renowned music producer Bizarrap. “My old man heard Colapinto needed sponsors and he told me,” the producer revealed in an interview with sports outlet ESPN. “I called him without knowing him and asked how I could help.”

The relationship went beyond that: the driver has worn a helmet designed by “Biza,” and the two became friends. “I think it was one of the nicest collaborations I’ve had in my sports career, and maybe the best,” Colapinto said. “He is number one in music and I want to be number one in motorsport. He represents Argentina in the best way.”

Bizarrap was instrumental in Colapinto finding another of his big backers Globant. “As a company born in Argentina, we are proud to accompany Franco Colapinto,” said CEO Martín Migoya in the announcement, in November 2023. “We want to support his ambition to be the next Argentine driver in Formula 1 in years to come.”

One of the latest arrivals was MercadoLibre. The e-commerce giant announced on Friday that it would sponsor Williams, Colapinto’s team, for the remainder of the 2024 season. “MercadoLibre is one of the most important and trusted brands in Latin America,” said Team Principal James Vowles. “Their decision to partner with us is a demonstration of F1’s position as a truly global sport and Williams as an iconic international sporting franchise.”

However, the support for the Pilar native doesn’t end there. A week before Williams announced Colapinto would test for them at the British GP, cryptocurrency trader Ripio announced their backing “Sponsoring an elite driver like Franco Colapinto gives us a unique opportunity to spread the crypto world to a global audience,” said CEO and cofounder Sebastián Serrano. 

Other businesses like gift company Bigbox and beer giants Quilmes are also sponsoring Colapinto.