Argentine race driver Franco Colapinto put up arguably his best performance as a Formula 1 driver at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. Starting ninth, he gained a few places on the tricky and narrow Madring track to finish seventh.

While it wasn’t his best finish so far in his career — that honor goes to a sixth-place finish in Canada earlier this year — it seemed to be Colapinto’s most confident performance throughout the two days of racing.

The 23-year-old earned that ninth-place spot in Saturday’s qualifying with a flat-out lap to break into the final stint of the session. He was consistent throughout Sunday’s race, showing pace and holding off much faster cars such as Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.

“It’s got to be one of the best races I’ve had,” Colapinto said after Sunday’s event. “Yesterday was solid too. It was a clean race; I’m happy with my performance.”

The race also brought a moment of pride for Colapinto, who was given an Argentine flag by one of the race stewards during the cool-down lap and held it aloft all the way to the boxes.

“Happy to be able to fly [the Argentine flag]. That stand was packed with Argentines; I’m proud that there were so many. It was a super special........

© Buenos Aires Herald