Formula 1 debuts, a trauma for Argentine drivers

The native of Pilar will compete for the first time in the top category of world motorsport this Sunday in Monza and will try to end the negative streak that the Argentine debutants have.

this Sunday Franco Colapinto will race in his first Formula 1 raceat the historic Monza National Racecourse. After 23 years, an Argentine will compete in the highest category of world motorsport, good news for a country that has a lot of history in this sport and knows how to count on Juan Manuel Fangio, five-time champion of the event. however, The debuts of the national drivers in the category were not favorable at all. Check them out.

The first was certainly Chueco’s, on May 13, 1950 at Silverstone. On lap 62 he had to retire due to oil problems in his Alfa Romeo.. Just a week later the premiere of José Froilán González took place in Monaco and he suffered the same fate, but earlier: his Maserati caught fire on the first lap. The following year, Onofre Miramón abandoned his premiere in France due to problems with his Maserati Milano.

In the 1953 Dutch GP the debut of Roberto Mieres took place, which He had to retire on lap 28 due to the car’s transmission failures.. The following year, in Great Britain, Clemar Bucci crashed with his Giordini on the eighteenth lap.

The Argentine Grand Prix has been part of the Formula 1 calendar for three periods: from 1952 to 1960; from 1971 to 1981; and there was a final stage between 1995 and 1998. Many local drivers debuted at the Autódromo de Buenos Aires and only six completed the race. Best of all was Oscar Gálvez, who finished fifth in 1953 with Maserati. Alessandro De Tomaso, made his debut in 1957 and finished ninth in a Ferrari. For his part, Nasif Estéfano, in 1960, was fourteenth in Maserati. In the same race, Alberto Rodríguez Larreta finished ninth in a Lotus Climax and Roberto Bonomi was eleventh in a Cooper Maserati. In 1972, Carlos Reutemann, Argentine driver who competed in the most Grand Prix, finished ninth with Brabham after taking pole position in qualifying.

Others who debuted and had to leave their homeland are: Carlos Menditegui (1953); Adolfo Schwelm-Cruz (1953); Pablo Birger (1953); Jorge Daponte (1954); Jesus Iglesias (1955)

The last national driver to debut in F1 and not have to retire was Ricardo Zunino. The man from San Juan finished seventh aboard a Brabham in the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix.

The last five Argentinian debutants had to abandon their first race. In 1981, Miguel Ángel Guerra had to say goodbye to his only participation in the category in the first round in San Marino. Seven years later, Oscar Larrauri crashed with his Eurobrun for the 14th year in Monaco. In 1997, Norberto Fontana had to retire on the fortieth lap due to an accident. The following season, Esteban Tuero left Australia on lap 22 in his Minardi, something very similar to what happened to Gastón Mazzacane in 2000, at the same circuit and with the same team.

In total, there were 26 Argentine drivers who competed in at least one race in the highest category of world motorsports and 15 of them had to abandon their debut.which represents 57%. It should be noted that in previous years it was common for drivers not to complete all the laps, as the technology of the cars was more dangerous.

Why is finishing races so important for Franco Colapinto?

Native Pilarwill face nine remaining races with the aim of adding experience and trying to get a place for next year. It’s not within Williams, as the British franchise already has two seats occupied by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz for next season, but this Grand Prix will serve as a showcase for the 21-year-old driver.

Completing the races is important to show consistency and the franchises still have slots available.they see you as a reliable broker. You must make the least amount of mistakes and, if you have to retire, it must be due to a mechanical failure and not due to your own distraction. Considering that the car in which he will race is one of the worst on the grid – the team is second to last in the constructors’ table – his final position in the races is not so important to him, but rather his ability to adapt to a whole new world.

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