“Nervous than when racing”: Franco Colapinto is looking forward to the World Championship final

– Die eingefleischten Formel-1-Fans werden das vermutlich anders sehen, doch der Große Preis von Belgien (hier im Liveticker!) dürfte nicht der sportliche Höhepunkt des Wochenendes sein: Denn am Sonntagabend (21 Uhr deutscher Zeit) steigt das Finale der Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft 2026.

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In the final, Argentina and Spain face off – a duel that Alpine driver Franco Colapinto as well as the two Spaniards Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz (Williams) are eagerly anticipating. “I will definitely be much more nervous during the game than during the race,” jokes Colapinto.

The Argentine has already had to endure some nerve-wracking moments this year: His team was temporarily two goals behind against Egypt, and they only managed to turn the semifinal against England in the final phase. “In the last 20 minutes, they really played well,” says the Alpine driver.

“We were a mix of Spaniards and Italians. My Italian engineer from Formula 2 was there,” reveals the 23-year-old about how he followed the semifinal last Wednesday. “And many people supported Argentina. It was nice to see.”

Colapinto expects a “pretty funny” football match

“We had a lot of fun. We also really empathized – and suffered. But if you don’t suffer a little, you’re not an Argentine. It was one of those games where you are really nervous. But in the end, you celebrate all the more. So it was a long night, but I am very happy.”

Will the Argentine get to experience this luck on the night from Sunday to Monday? “Spain – we are both Latin Americans. We speak the same language,” Colapinto recalls, expecting a heated game: “They will understand which swear words they throw at each other. So that will be pretty funny.”

“Hopefully it will be a really good game. I have the feeling that you can be proud of this game: Argentina and Spain are in the final, two Latin American countries. They left France and England behind. It is the best final you can wish for. I am happy.”

Fernando Alonso believes in a “close affair”

The two Spanish regular drivers in the current Formula 1 field are much more relaxed. “I have seen most of the games – sometimes not the second half, because I had other commitments at home,” says Alonso, who became a father for the first time a few weeks ago.

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“Like all Spaniards, we follow the team, support them from afar, and give them strength and energy when they need it. They know the whole country is behind them.” However, the “La Furia Roja” will have to do without the support of the two-time world champion on Sunday evening.

“It will be a bit tricky because we are flying home. So maybe I will manage to watch the second half again,” says Alonso, who does not want to make a prediction for the 2026 World Cup final: “I think it will be a close affair. But of course, we all hope that Spain wins.”

Carlos Sainz: Five days later it doesn’t matter anyway

Carlos Sainz sees it the same way: “I think Spain plays really well,” praises the Williams driver. “Purely football-wise, we play the best football, but Argentina has a strong attack. And it’s a World Cup – football is football. Let’s see, I think it will be a tough fight.”

Will at least Sainz be able to cheer on his team? “My flight is at 9 p.m., so probably not,” reveals the 31-year-old. “But I hope the plane has Wi-Fi and I can watch – or at least see the second half or something.”

“Maybe I can start half an hour earlier, but I am flying with Charles Leclerc, and the Ferrari meetings take a long time, especially when you win or get on the podium. The return then takes longer, so I will probably have to negotiate.”

In the end, it will not make much difference who wins the game and lifts the World Cup trophy. “On the day itself, it is very important,” says Sainz with a grin, “but five days later you think: ‘Well, whatever.'”

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