Suzuka, Japan – As Franco Colapinto prepares for his debut at the Japanese Grand Prix, the young Argentine driver is navigating the demands of Formula 1 both on and off the track. Coming off a tenth-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix – securing his first point with the Alpine team – Colapinto is now addressing speculation surrounding a potential romance with actress Maia Reficco. The 22-year-aged driver, however, has firmly dismissed the rumors, although likewise revealing a surprising connection within the F1 paddock: a fellow Boca Juniors fan in Sergio Pérez.
The whispers of a relationship between Colapinto and Reficco began circulating in January, fueled by an exchange on social media where the driver shared an image of the actress posing with his F1 helmet. As reported by Infobae, this interaction sparked interest among fans and media outlets alike. Recent reports suggested the connection had deepened, but Colapinto was quick to set the record straight during an interview with ESPN.
Dismissing the Rumors: “I’m Still Remarkably Single”
“I was calm, had a quiet weekend, getting to know places,” Colapinto said, referring to the break between races that ignited the latest wave of speculation. When directly asked by journalist Juan Fossaroli if he was dating anyone, Colapinto responded with a laugh, “I’m still very single!” He didn’t shy away from acknowledging the media’s role in amplifying the story, stating, “You journalists invent a lot of nonsense because you like to sell. What sells, what gets a few clicks. It’s a sold story.”
Despite acknowledging his amusement with gossip in general, Colapinto admitted a personal reluctance to be the subject of it. “I like gossip, I have to say I like gossip, but when it’s about me, I don’t like it so much, to be honest,” he explained. He playfully referenced his friendship with Fossaroli, and a shared interest in the viral monkey, Punch, whose recent relationship became a topic of conversation. “You’ll never be unfaithful to me, Juan. Punch has a girlfriend, dude. Didn’t you see Punch’s girlfriend at the zoo? It killed me, that’s why I didn’t go see him, man, how can he get a girlfriend?”
Focus on the Track: Suzuka and Alpine Updates
Beyond the off-track chatter, Colapinto is focused on his debut at the iconic Suzuka International Racing Course. He expressed his excitement about racing at a track he’s long admired. “I consider it’s a favorite of many drivers. I’ve never driven it, but seeing it on TV and driving it in the simulator, it’s one of the tracks I really wanted to drive and really hoped to race,” Colapinto said. “It’s a circuit I’ve always wanted to race. Since I was a kid, I watched it on TV and said, ‘What a track.’ Being here and getting to know Japan is one of the countries that was still pending for me, and I hadn’t had the chance to come and visit.”
Colapinto also highlighted the technical improvements to his Alpine A526 car. He confirmed he will be equipped with updated suspension components, a significant upgrade he lacked in China due to a gearbox issue. “I have the part on the back that I didn’t have in China. It’s the suspension part,” he explained. “My gearbox broke on Thursday, and I had to use the old part. Those were quite a few aerodynamic load points at almost all speeds in the back. And up front, we had a problem with the front wing that I couldn’t set. When I went into DRS (the wing was supposed to close), it didn’t lift as it should and stayed open. I was losing quite a bit of downforce up front, and they improved that a lot for the race.”
A Shared Passion: Colapinto and Pérez’s Love for Boca Juniors
Amidst the racing preparations, Colapinto also shared a lighthearted revelation about a shared passion with fellow F1 driver Sergio Pérez: a love for the Argentine football club Boca Juniors. “Checo is a Boca fan. Of course, how could I not be friends with Checo,” Colapinto stated. “For me, he’s the best in Formula 1.” He reiterated his long-standing admiration for Pérez, adding, “I’ve said it many times, I won’t keep showering him with flowers, but I’ve been a fan of his since I was very young. Racing against him, against Lewis (Hamilton) or Fernando (Alonso) is a huge pleasure. I really enjoy it and I learn a lot from them. Checo’s return to F1 made me very happy. I missed him a lot last year. He’s someone I have more affinity with. He’s one of us on the grid. We have to support him.”
Race Weekend Schedule
The Japanese Grand Prix schedule is as follows (all times are Argentina time):
- FP1: Thursday, March 26 (Friday, March 27 in Japan) at 11:30 PM
- FP2: Friday, March 27 at 3:00 AM
- FP3: Friday, March 27 at 11:30 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 AM
- Race: Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 AM
Colapinto anticipates a challenging but rewarding weekend at Suzuka, noting the track’s demanding layout. “In general, it’s a track I’ve really wanted to come to, and I think it’s going to be one of my favorites. Because of the type of corners, the long and fast corners, those changes of direction. It looks like a very fun track, and it’s that style of circuit that I like. I’m looking forward to going out tomorrow. Hopefully, have a excellent weekend; I think we’re going to improve as we go. We’ll have to see if China was a standard in terms of performance, because we’re stronger. Here the corners are much faster and longer,” he added.
As Colapinto prepares to seize on the challenge of Suzuka, he remains focused on maximizing the potential of his updated Alpine car and building on the momentum from his first points finish in China. The Formula 1 season continues to unfold, and Colapinto is determined to make his mark on the sport.
Disclaimer: Formula 1 racing involves inherent risks. Information provided here is for general knowledge and entertainment purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice.
The Japanese Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Fans can follow live updates and results on the official Formula 1 website: https://www.formula1.com/. What are your predictions for Colapinto’s performance in Suzuka? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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