Franco Colapinto became the first Argentine to drive a Formula 1 car on Buenos Aires streets, thrilling around 600,000 fans in Palermo on Sunday. The 22-year-old Alpine driver piloted a Lotus E20 and a replica of Juan Manuel Fangio's 'Silver Arrow'. Flavio Briatore, Alpine executive advisor, praised the event on social media.
Franco Colapinto starred in a historic event on the streets of Palermo, Buenos Aires, on April 26. Thousands of fans gathered from the night before, queuing despite the cold, to watch the Alpine driver in action. The City Government reported 600,000 spectators.
The schedule featured three runs: the first and third with the 2012 Lotus E20 powered by Renault V8 in Alpine livery, performing accelerations and donuts. The second was in a replica of the Mercedes-Benz W196, Fangio's 'Silver Arrow' that won titles in 1954 and 1955. A small rear fire on the Lotus during the third run was quickly fixed by the team.
After the exhibition, Colapinto greeted fans from a truck and shared an emotional moment with his grandmother, telling her: "Bringing a Formula 1 to the country is great for the fans, but also for my family, like my grandma who can't come to my races". Flavio Briatore posted on Instagram: "Qué día para ti. Bravo Argentina y Buenos Aires por su entusiasta respuesta a tan increíble evento. Nos vemos en Miami, Franco, para que me cuentes todo!".
Formula 1 highlighted the event online: "Franco Colapinto delights fans in Buenos Aires", sparking calls for a Grand Prix in Argentina. Colapinto said: "Ojalá tengamos un Gran Premio". The driver now prepares for the Miami GP, his next race after a month's break.
