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Colapinto Apologizes After Criticizing Spain Over World Cup Final
🇦🇷 Argentina /Sports

Colapinto Apologizes After Criticizing Spain Over World Cup Final

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto apologized for criticizing Spain's football fans after Argentina's World Cup final loss.
  • Colapinto expressed frustration over perceived lack of support from Spanish fans before their victory, contrasting it with their enthusiasm afterward.
  • He made the remarks during a press conference in Hungary and later retracted them, expressing affection for Spain while playfully critiquing their fan songs.

Formula 1 rookie Franco Colapinto found himself in hot water after passionately criticizing Spanish football fans following Argentina's World Cup final defeat. The Argentine driver's frustration boiled over in an interview, leading him to issue an apology.

I'm really annoyed. I had recovered from the blow, and I came here with these people... Now, suddenly, they put on the jersey when they win; they don't put it on before. It's a disgrace.

— Franco ColapintoExpressing frustration about the perceived fair-weather support of Spanish football fans after Argentina's World Cup final loss.

During a press conference for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Colapinto sat alongside Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz. Shortly after Spain's World Cup victory, Colapinto had expressed his annoyance in a more relaxed ESPN interview. "I'm really annoyed. I had recovered from the blow, and I came here with these people... Now, suddenly, they put on the jersey when they win; they don't put it on before. It's a disgrace," he stated, displaying the candidness of youth.

He further elaborated, describing a scene where Spanish fans were allegedly burning an Argentina jersey with Messi's name on it, and lamenting their lack of fan songs. Colapinto's comments resonated in Spain, the reigning world champions, prompting him to retract his statements during an event with Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

My interviews this weekend haven't been good. The Spanish are hating me. So I love you, Spain. And sorry for my comments.

— Franco ColapintoRetracting his earlier critical remarks about Spanish football fans during an event with F1 drivers.

Hamilton initiated the conversation by asking if Colapinto was depressed about the match, offering support. Colapinto seized the opportunity for self-criticism: "My interviews this weekend haven't been good. The Spanish are hating me. So I love you, Spain. And sorry for my comments," the Alpine driver admitted. Despite his apology, Colapinto couldn't resist a playful jab, adding, "But you need to improve your songs. They are boring." He is set to start 13th in the Hungarian Grand Prix, hoping to channel his footballing frustration into a strong F1 performance.

But you need to improve your songs. They are boring.

— Franco ColapintoPlayfully critiquing Spanish fan songs after apologizing for his earlier comments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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