Canapino and Colapinto, national and export talent

Franco Colapinto, a phenomenon beyond motorsports / Photo: Osvaldo Fantón.
When thinking about the greatest exponents of Argentine motorsport today, the names that stand out are those of Agustín Canapinomultiple national champion who this year took his first steps in IndyCar, and Franco Colapintowho crossed the borders of motor sport and became a trend when it was confirmed that he was going to get into a Formula 1 to participate in the last official test of the year.

You should also aim for Mariano Werner, who once again demonstrated all his class in local motorsports and became three-time champion of Road Tourism. A title that he celebrated only a week after his consecration in the TC Pick Up.

Canapino and his jump to IndyCar

In this 2023, Canapino decided to take a turn in his career: He packed his suitcases, put a pause on his successful career in Argentina, where he became champion four times in Turismo Carretera (2010, 2017, 2018 and 2019), twice in Super TC 20000 (2016 and 2021) and seven times in Top Race (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 201), and decided to emigrate in search of new challenges and to fulfill one of his great dreams: compete in IndyCar.

Agustín Canapino in IndyCar / Photo TW@juncoshollinger
“I’m saying goodbye to Argentina for a while. I hope it’s for a long time, because I hope this project lasts a few years,” Agustín had announced in the first days of January, after confirming that his landing in the American category came with Juncos. Hollinger Racing, a team owned by Argentine Ricardo Juncos.

After settling in the United States, the long-awaited debut arrived on March 5 and the man from Reef exceeded expectations with a 12th place after completing the scheduled 100 laps on the St. Petersburg street circuit, in Florida, where the season was launched. 2023.

From there, Canapino competed in a total of 17 competitions and completed 95% of the 2,260 laps of this championship.finished 21st in the general classification and entered the Leader Circle, that place where the 22 best cars are awarded a million dollars, and finished second in the “Rookie” championship.

An unforgettable year for the “Titan”, who has already assured his continuity in the team for 2024 and promised that he will go for more.

Colapinto makes its way in Europe

The name of Franco Colapinto little by little made its way in Europe, but this 2023 was the definitive takeoff for the 20-year-old driver’s career. After being appointed by the Williams team as a member of its Driver Academy, the man from Pilar had an outstanding season in the Formula 3 championship, where he ran 18 races, achieved two victories (Silverstone and Monza), five podiums and registered 110 points that They placed him in 4th place at the end of the contest.

Franco Colapinto / Photo: @FranColapinto
After his great campaign, the time came for the big leap, and all accompanied by strong support on social networks, which was joined by figures like Bizarrap: in October 2023, Colapinto announced his arrival in Formula 2 for the 2024 season, with the MP Motorsport team, and his participation in the last race of the year in Abu Dhabi.

But that was not all, because after his debut, Colapinto stayed in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the rookie test with the Williams Formula 1 team, a historic event for Argentine motorsports, which did not have a national driver in a test. Máxima official for 22 years. The last one had been Gastón Mazzacane in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Werner, consecrated at the national level

At the national level, Mariano Werner once again established himself as champion of Road Tourism. With the Ford serviced by Fadel Memo Corse Racing, Werner was the most forceful throughout the season, he won the regular stage, and in the Gold Cup he was unbeatable for his rivals.

Thus, he achieved his third title in the most important category in the country, after those achieved in 2020 and 2021 and the 34-year-old from Paraná, wrote his name among the 10 most winning drivers of Turismo Carretera, a select list where he shares a position with two historical ones like Roberto Mouras and Óscar Castellano, and led by Juan Gálvez. All this just a week after being consecrated for the first time in TC Pick Up.

Mariano Werner / Photo: Martin Levicoy.
Another notable name of the season was Leonel Pernia, who for the third time in his career became TC 2000 champion (2019, 2022 and 2023). With seven victories throughout the championship and eight podiums, Tandil’s “Tanito”, aboard a Renault Fluence from Axion Energy Sport, secured the title two dates before the closing.

Pernía’s successes continued in Class 3 of the National Tourism, where he achieved his second title, after the one achieved in 2018, and became the 8th two-time champion in the history of the Divisional. With the Focus serviced by the MG-C Pergamino, he added two podiums throughout the season and defined the title on the last date.

The last champion of 2023 was Luis José Di Palma (FIAT), who celebrated in the Top Race V6 after the five victories achieved in the season. “Josito”, 34 years old, achieved his first title at the national level and once again took the Di Palma surname to the top, after the one achieved by Patricio in Class 3 of National Tourism in 2005.

2023-12-29 19:49:00
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