The 21-year-old rookie, Franco Colapinto, is set to make his debut in Formula 1 this weekend at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Colapinto will become the first Argentine driver in Formula 1 in over 20 years as he joins the Williams team, stepping in for the struggling Logan Sargeant.

Colapinto has garnered significant attention from fans in Argentina, yet he has dismissed comparisons to legendary football player Lionel Messi. “It is very difficult to feel like Lionel Messi; I don’t know what it feels like,” he told reporters on Thursday. “But sometimes I see that they compare me, and I think: ‘You’re crazy. Messi is God; how can you even compare me to him?’”

Despite the excitement among fans, Colapinto has not set high expectations for his debut with Williams, a team that has only accumulated four points in the Constructors’ Championship so far. “I don’t expect much… I just want to take it step by step. I want to focus on myself,” he added. “The most important thing for me is to remain focused on my work and to do what the team expects of me. And honestly, I am more than confident that I can do that.”

The activities of the weekend will kick off with the first two practice sessions at Monza on Friday, and Colapinto is looking forward to getting started.