🔥 Abu Dhabi: Franco's first step towards Formula 1
Remembering Franco's key moments at Yas Marina before his consolidation in F1
Published
05 Dic 2025
Est. reading time
4 min
🙌 Abu Dhabi is not just the end of the season
For Franco, it is a connecting point between his evolution as a driver and his arrival at the highest level. From his first experience on the track to his full Formula 1 debut with Williams, Yas Marina reflects learning, adaptation and constant growth.
F2 2023: First steps that shaped his path
That year, Franco competed in his first Formula 2 race at Yas Marina, closing a revealing year after a strong stint in F3, which led to his promotion as part of the Williams Academy. Although the result did not change the championship battle, it reinforced his reputation as a complete driver, capable of combining speed, consistency and strategic judgement on track.
F1 2023: Debut in F1 machinery
In November 2023, Franco had his first experience in a Formula 1 car during the Williams Young Driver Test at Yas Marina.
At just 20 years old, he became the first Argentine to drive an F1 car in more than two decades, completing 63 laps and experiencing the full intensity of a car from the category we all love so much.
Franco described the experience as “incredible” and a unique milestone in his career: "If you had told me a few years ago that today I would be driving an F1 car, I wouldn’t have believed it. I am very grateful to Williams and everyone who has supported me over the years, helping me achieve this."
The test allowed him to adapt quickly to the car, the tools, and the team, exploring every corner and every detail of the track. Franco highlighted the power and performance of the FW45: "Braking and feeling the force was amazing. It’s an experience you only live once when starting in F1, and it was very special."
He said the day was a clean and productive session that closed his first year with Williams, expressing his gratitude to the team: “It was a small gift after a great season”, while keeping his focus on Formula 2 for the following year.
This experience was not only a personal milestone but also strengthened his preparation for the next step in his path towards Formula 1.
F1 2024: His last race with Williams in the top category
One year later, Franco returned to Abu Dhabi as a Williams F1 driver, completing his first experience in the category. His results were not the best; the team did not fare so well in the last races of the year, but his competitiveness and confidence stood out.
During that weekend he also consolidated essential skills for his future, which would soon be revealed with his current team, BWT Alpine Formula One Team. Despite a weekend marked by bad luck: a touch from Piastri caused a puncture and, subsequently, a power unit issue forced his retirement, Franco showed professionalism and gratitude for the opportunity:
"It wasn’t the finish I expected, but I really enjoyed the experience and I am grateful to the team for their trust. I hope to return to Williams in the future."
👉 Abu Dhabi as a turning point
More than just a race, those weekends confirmed that Franco is made for Formula 1. His progress and maturity left a lasting mark on his sporting career, and this weekend we will see that race and celebrate that he will finally start a full season from the beginning with a Formula 1 team next year.
Why Abu Dhabi remains a key venue
The moments experienced at Yas Marina in F2 2023 and F1 2024 reflect Franco’s evolution and the preparation that led him to Alpine as a full-time driver today. Abu Dhabi symbolises the closing of stages and, at the same time, the beginning of a new reality: competing at the highest level of motorsport with experience, speed and maturity.
Additionally, the race will be very exciting as it will be decisive for the 2025 championship, after a few years where he was not as competitive.
Tomorrow we will see him again in the F1 Saturday of the year
Don’t forget to cheer him on with all the support we have shown throughout this year.
It’s the last time we will see him racing for a few months, so we hope this weekend will be when the most fans of #FranClub43 join him through the FC43 app.
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🩵 See you tomorrow at 14:30 🇦🇪 / 10:30 🇬🇧 / 7:30 🇦🇷 for FP3, and then at 18:00 🇦🇪 / 14:00 🇬🇧 / 11:00 🇦🇷 for the Quali!
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