WATCH: Franco Colapinto's amazing reflexes to overtake six cars on Formula 1 debut at Monza

The young Argentine driver Franco Colapinto made a stunning Formula 1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, impressing fans and critics alike with his quick reflexes and skilful driving. As the first Argentine racer to compete in an F1 race in over two decades, Colapinto's performance was remarkable. 

Starting from 18th on the grid, Colapinto had a challenging task ahead of him, but he was determined to make the most out of his opportunity. Saturday's qualifying session had been a bit of a letdown for the Williams driver.

Despite showing strong pace in the final free practice, where he finished in just 0.3 seconds behind his experienced teammate Alex Albon, a mistake on his last qualifying lap cost him a better starting position. However, Colapinto did not let this setback define his weekend.

When the lights went out on Sunday, Colapinto quickly found his rhythm, showcasing the consistent and composed driving style that has become his trademark. The Williams team opted for a one-stop strategy, which required the young driver to manage his tyres carefully. Despite his limited experience with the hard compound tyres, Colapinto delivered lap times that were both fast and steady, even outpacing Albon by 0.2 seconds on his quickest lap.

Iconic overtake on Pierre Gasly!

The highlight of Colapinto's race came on lap 31, as he approached the famous "Parabolica" curve. Positioned just behind French driver Pierre Gasly, Colapinto took full advantage of the DRS (Drag Reduction System) to gain extra speed down the straight.

Here is the video:

Moves made maturely 👏



No sign of debut nerves for Franco Colapinto with these overtakes in Monza ⬆️#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/tYZ9AuqYy2

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 2, 2024

Demonstrating nerves of steel, he made a daring late-braking manoeuvre, diving the inside of Gasly and overtaking him with remarkable precision at the first chicane. This move allowed Colapinto to jump six positions, a feat that had fans and commentators buzzing with excitement.

Reflecting on his debut, Colapinto shared both his joy and the physical toll the race had taken on him. "I’m old, my whole body hurts," he joked. Yet, despite the challenges, he expressed immense satisfaction with his performance, calling it a race he would remember forever. He also expressed gratitude to his team, who had supported him throughout the weekend, enabling him to quickly adapt and find a competitive pace.