Verstappen regrets lack of 2025 seat for impressive Colapinto

Formula 1's newest rookies are receiving significant praise from two of the sport's most experienced and respected drivers.

Franco Colapinto, who stepped into Logan Sargeant's Williams seat for the remainder of the season starting in Monza, managed to reach Q3 at Baku.

In a further impressive feat, the 21-year-old Argentine also did something that Sargeant never achieved in 36 attempts—he out-qualified his teammate Alex Albon.

Albon, who ended up P10 compared to Colapinto's P9, remarked that a strange incident during Q3, where he was initially sent out with the airbox cooling unit still attached, may have hindered his performance.

"But realistically, I was only going to gain one, maybe two positions if everything went perfectly," Albon admitted.

Colapinto's strong debut has caught the attention of triple world champion Max Verstappen, who offered his praise.

"That's a very strong start," commented the Red Bull driver.

"He just doesn't have a seat for next year, so that's a shame for him. But it's good in any case," Verstappen added. "He's already making a mark."

When asked if he has had a personal conversation with Colapinto, Verstappen replied: "Not really, I haven't had time yet."

Another standout rookie this weekend in Baku is Oliver Bearman, who is temporarily filling in for Kevin Magnussen while the Haas regular serves a one-race suspension.

Magnussen has only out-qualified his teammate Nico Hulkenberg three times this season, but 18-year-old Bearman managed to do so on his one-off race appearance.

Bearman qualified four places ahead of Hulkenberg, though he wasn't entirely satisfied with his performance.

"I feel like I should have been in Q3 if I had got the extra laps in FP3," he reflected, referencing his practice crash.

"Those laps are so valuable at this stage of my career. I'm hard on myself because the car is worth more than that," Bearman added.

Hulkenberg, although out-qualified, expressed happiness for the young Briton. "He was there from the start and learns quickly," said the German veteran, who is set to join Audi-owned Sauber next season. "I think he really likes these street tracks. He's been really good."

Hulkenberg further explained his struggles at Baku: "This track just doesn't suit my driving style. I've been coming here since 2016 and it has always been like this."

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