Van Amersfoort driver Franco Colapinto wraps up the FIA F3 season with a spectacular victory in Monza
The Argentinian ROFGO Junior scored his second FIA Formula 3 win in the season finale last weekend at the Temple of Speed.
Monza is the fastest track on the calendar, where straight-line speed is key and even though the VAR car was not the fastest car on Friday, Franco still slotted into P12, securing pole position for the Sprint Race. Starting from P1, Franco fired off the line at the start, keeping Collet at bay by taking the inside line into Turn 1. The Brazilian kept the Visit Argentina supported driver under pressure, but he held onto the lead, starting to build a gap, staying clear of the chaos unfolding further down the grid.
The safety car was deployed on lap 4 after a car hit the barriers and had to be removed from the track. The race resumed five laps later and Franco chose the perfect moment, going late and controlling the restart to get a jump on Collet. Unbothered by the battle for second unfolding behind him, the ROFGO Junior carried on his charge. With only three laps to go, Franco suddenly found Bearman in his mirrors. The Prema driver fighting for the title was desperate to chase down the Argentinian, but Colapinto held his ground and defended until the checkered flag to take his second victory of the season.
2022 season recap
Franco joined series newcomer Van Amersfoort Racing on his debut season in FIA Formula 3. He took the F1 support paddock by storm, claiming pole position in his first-ever FIA F3 Qualifying. He didn’t wait long to score his maiden victory at the next round in Imola. Colapinto visited the podium at Red Bull Ring, Hungaroring, and at the team’s home race in Zandvoort, wrapping up the season with a win in Monza. Franco scored 76 points over the nine rounds, 84% of VAR’s total point tally, earning a 9th place finish in the Driver’s championship out of the 40 drivers entering the 2022 championship, and helping the rookie team finish in P6 in the Team’s standings.
Franco Colapinto:
“What a year it was! Entering our first season in FIA F3 with VAR I didn’t know what to expect. To finish it with two wins and 5 podiums is an absolute dream. I am thankful to everyone at Van Amersfoort Racing for their hard work and dedication. We came here as rookies and still gave teams who were racing here for many years a run for their money. Thanks to Frits (van Amersfoort ) and Tom (Claessen) for their trust in me. It’s been a pleasure.
I am beyond proud to have the support of my country Argentina and standing on top of the Monza podium having the Argentinian anthem played for me is a memory I will carry with me for a long time. Thanks to ROFGO Racing for our third season together. I wouldn’t be here without their support. Thanks to Corporativo GTO, Gulf Oil International, Venture Engineering, Pit Stop Monte Carlo, Cockpit Simuladores, and Bell Racing for supporting me. And last but not least, thank you to Bullet Sports Management who made it all possible.”
Jamie Campbell-Walter, Managing Director, Bullet Sports Management
"Having Franco on the FIA F3 grid has been a goal we worked towards for a long time. Thanks to our amazing partners and Van Amersfoort Racing it could become reality this year and he proved us all right. What Franco has achieved this year as a rookie with a newcomer team is simply remarkable. He has not only shown pace and race craft, but also maturity on and off track. It fills me with great pride to watch his progress and he is only just getting started. Franco has a bright future ahead and we at Bullet will do everything to provide him with the best opportunities to achieve his dreams."
Franco’s 2023 plans will be revealed soon.