"Yes James, Colapinto brought no money": Fans react as Williams announces partnership with another Latin American sponsor

F1 fans reacted after it was announced that the Williams F1 team will be welcoming another Latin American sponsor on board after taking Franco Colapinto as its second driver in place of Logan Sargeant. The British team went with its academy driver from Argentina to replace the departing Sargeant for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Colapinto, who drove for MP Motorsport in F2 this year, impressed everyone during his debut campaign in the junior series as he was P6 in the drivers' championship, with a Sprint and a Feature win to his name.

As per Williams F1's official website, the Grove-based outfit welcomed the Latin American e-commerce and digital payments giant Mercado Libre as a partner. The company is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential companies in 2023. Williams team boss James Vowles said:

“It is fantastic to welcome Mercado Libre into Formula 1 as a partner with Williams Racing. Mercado Libre is one of the most important and trusted brands in Latin America, and their decision to partner with us is a demonstration of F1’s position as a truly global sport and Williams as an iconic international sporting franchise."

F1 Fans took to social media to give their reactions to the new partnership between Mercado Libre and the F1 team on X, with one fan sarcastically insinuating that the British team signed the Argentine for money, saying:

"Yes James, Colapinto brought no money."

"The Colapinto influence."

"That’s why they didn’t get Mick.. not because he wasn’t special enough," one fan said.

"For those asking why they chose Franco Colapinto to replace Logan Sargeant, here is your answer!" said a fan.

"Franco already bringing in the big bucks," claimed another.

"And they said Franco didn't buy his seat and money had absolutely nothing to do with the decision," wrote another.

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Williams F1 team boss gives his take on choosing Franco Colapinto

James Vowles stated that the Grove-based outfit has invested heavily in its academy and pointed out that the 21-year-old Argentine is ahead of both F1 prospects Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman in the F2 standings.

As per The Race, Vowles said:

"Franco's ahead in the F2 championship of [Kimi] Antonelli. He's ahead of [Oliver] Bearman. He's in MP - with all due respect to MP, it’s not Prema, it’s not ART. And he's doing a good job in building up into it.

"Now do I think we've put someone really in the deep end of the swimming pool? Absolutely, 100 percent but if you listen to Franco's own words, you'll hear that he's ready for it, that he's ready for the challenge, that he knows what's in front of him.” he added.

Franco Colapinto had a respectable outing in the first two practice sessions as he finished P17 in both FP1 and FP2.