The announcement of the promotion of Franco Colapinto a Formula 1 driver for the rest of the season it came like a bolt from the blue. News that has upset the balance of several teams, especially in the preparatory categories. MP Motorsport had to look for a driver ready to get on track, then opting for Oliver Goethe as Colapinto's replacement for the remaining stages of the calendar F2.
Oliver Goethe named Colapinto's replacement in F2
Logan Sargeant's farewell and what follows arrival of Franco Colapinto at Williams they have triggered a cascade of events. The promotion of the Argentinian – currently sixth in the Formula 2 drivers' standings – left the MP Motorsport team with a seat vacant on the eve of the Monza weekend.
Hence the need for the Dutch team to look for a driver ready to drive the number 12 car. While Formula 3 will conclude the season with the Monza round, F2 has 3 other stages scheduled in addition to the Italian one. However, MP seems to have found the right replacement for Colapinto: this is Oliver Goethe who will make his debut in F2 this weekend.
Goethe ready to debut in a new category
Oliver Goethe he is a pilot of the Red Bull Junior Academy and busy – at least until the announcement of the promotion – with the Spanish team Campos Racing in Formula 3. The German driver, currently seventh in the standings, is mathematically still in contention for the F3 drivers' title.
His passage in Formula 2 – with immediate effect – will not allow him to attempt the feat of grabbing the title. “Although I have no experience with an F2 car, the two seasons in the FIA F3 championship have given me a great base to build from,” he said after the announcement. Oliver then went on to say: “Mine goal this weekend I say absorb all the information that MP Motorsport will give me and learn as much as I can".
"Somehow this debut is similar to those that occurred in F3 in 2022, when I joined in the middle of the season and I scored in the points in the first race”. The German driver will contest the remaining rounds of Monza, Baku, Qatar and Abu Dhabi with MP. He concludes by saying: “I'm sorry I couldn't finish my season in F3 as planned. I wish everyone good luck, especially to the drivers competing for the title!".
