WATCH: Sergio Perez applauds Franco Colapinto’s grit in Singapore GP

Franco Colapinto’s performance in the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix may not have ended with points, but it certainly earned him significant recognition. It came from none other than Sergio Perez, the man often hailed as the “King of the Streets.” Colapinto, who started outside the points, managed to hold off the Red Bull driver for a notable portion of the race.

After securing his first points finish in Baku, Colapinto was eager to make his mark once again in Singapore. Despite the punishing heat and the narrow, demanding layout of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the young Williams driver stunned fans and rivals alike with his early race moves.

In the opening lap, Colapinto gained four positions, finding himself in ninth place, just ahead of Perez. As the two drivers battled for track position, many expected the experienced Pérez to swiftly overtake the rookie. However, Colapinto held his ground, much to Pérez’s surprise.

Here is the video:

“He’s very good”



Checo was impressed by Franco's defence 💪#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/PHnOUy15hE

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024

Nothing left in the tank 🥵



Singapore's heat and humidity takes its toll on the drivers 👀#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/tL8nWD8MtC

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 22, 2024

Over the radio, Perez couldn’t help but praise the young driver’s defensive prowess. “He’s very good,” Pérez remarked to his team. “Very difficult to pass Colapinto.” These words, coming from a driver known for his street circuit mastery, were a high compliment for the 21-year-old Argentine, who has shown immense potential in his short time on the Formula 1 stage.

What did Franco Colapinto say about his race?

Franco Colapinto’s defence against Perez was impressive, but the Williams driver eventually slipped out of the top ten, finishing just shy of points in 11th place. Reflecting on the race, Colapinto acknowledged the challenges he faced but remained optimistic about the experience gained.

“It’s a pity we didn’t finish in the top 10... I think it was possible to keep Perez behind,” Colapinto admitted in a post-race statement. However, he expressed satisfaction with the overall result, calling it “a very positive race to build on.”

Not all of Colapinto’s rivals shared Perez’s admiration. Carlos Sainz Jr. criticized the young driver’s aggressive overtakes during the race’s opening stages, suggesting he came dangerously close to causing a multi-car incident. “We had to take avoiding action to a Williams that nearly took two or three of us out,” Sainz said post-race. Even Colapinto’s teammate, Alex Albon, expressed his frustration with a daring move, calling it a “divebomb.”