Argentinian teenage racer Franco Colapinto is set to make his GT racing debut on quite a stage as he is drafted in as a last-minute replacement to the ROFGO Racing Audi replacing Stuart Hall who has tested positive for COVID-19.
The 18-year-old will join fellow teenager Benjamin Goethe (18) and 21-year-old James Pull in the ROFGO liveried #30 Team WRT Audi R8 LMS GT3, forming the youngest line-up on the 58-car grid.
Despite their young age, all three drivers have several years of sports car experience. Goethe, who made his Spa 24 debut last year with Team WRT started the 2021 season with a second-place overall in the 24H of Dubai, while James Pull won in Silver Cup at 2019 running of the Spa event.
The #30 squad with Goethe, Hall and Pull on board currently sits in third place in the Silver Cup standings following a brilliant podium finish at the Monza season opener and a fighting fifth-place finish in Paul Ricard.
For Franco, this will be a weekend of firsts, the ROFGO driver has never raced a GT car before, with his longest endurance race being the 6-hour FIA WEC race at Spa earlier this year, which means, that he’ll get his first taste of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 in his maiden 24-hour race this weekend.
He’ll be racing in a second 24 Hour race next month aboard his regular ELMS ride, the #26 G Drive Racing Aurus 01
ROFGO Junior driver Franco Colapinto: “This is an incredible opportunity. When I thought my season can’t be any crazier, I get a chance to race in the greatest GT race in the world in an Audi R8 LMS with one of the most successful GT teams on the grid. I’m grateful to Team WRT, ROFGO, and Bullet Sports Management for making this happen. I really do feel sorry for Stuart and wish him a speedy recovery. I will do my best to fit in and learn as much as I can from my more experienced teammates and continue the great work they have all done so far. I am under no illusions that this is going to be easy but I am really looking forward to such an opportunity.”
ROFGO owner Roald Goethe: “Stuart has been a vital part of the ROFGO family since the beginning, and he’ll be very much missed in Spa, it won’t be long until we see him on track again. Together with WRT and Bullet we have chosen Franco to stand in for Stu as he’s not only a part of our junior program, but also an up-and-coming young talent who`s capable to adapt to the situation and compliment our exciting young line-up”
