Brazilian racer Enzo Fittipaldi came tantalizingly close to securing a coveted Formula 1 seat with Red Bull’s rebranded RB team for 2024, according to his consultant and investor Pedro Boesel. The Red Bull Junior Team member had all but clinched the opportunity, including a private F1 test, but was ultimately dropped, leaving fans and insiders questioning the decision.
From Promising F2 Star to the Brink of F1
Fittipaldi joined the Red Bull Driver Development Programme in late 2022, riding the momentum of a stellar debut Formula 2 season where he finished eighth and stood on the podium six times. The 2023 season, however, proved to be a mixed bag. Despite a maiden F2 victory at Spa and moments of brilliance, inconsistent results left him seventh in the standings, far behind champion Theo Pourchaire.
His struggles seemingly came at the worst time, coinciding with Red Bull’s decision to trim its development roster. Yet, according to Boesel, Fittipaldi was once the frontrunner for a seat at RB (formerly AlphaTauri), with Red Bull’s top brass endorsing his promotion.
“Enzo had a meeting with the Red Bull leadership, and they told him he was their choice to drive for AlphaTauri in 2024,” Boesel revealed to Motorsport.com’s Brazilian outlet.
The Private Test That Could Have Changed Everything
Fittipaldi’s Formula 1 aspirations took a significant step forward in July 2023 when he participated in a private F1 test, reportedly just days after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The test coincided with Daniel Ricciardo’s high-profile return to a Red Bull seat, adding further intrigue to the session.
“It was a private test in Europe, right after the Silverstone race,” Boesel shared. “From then on, Enzo seemed to be solidifying his place.”
A Crucial Turning Point at Spa
Fittipaldi bolstered his F1 case just weeks later during the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Race, where he secured his first F2 victory. He followed that with a podium in the Feature Race, showcasing the kind of form Red Bull craves in its drivers. But his performance dipped in the final stretch of the season, with three non-scores undermining his earlier momentum.
The Mystery of Red Bull’s Decision
Despite his undeniable potential, Red Bull opted to release Fittipaldi and retained only Isack Hadjar, who currently sits second in the F2 standings, narrowly trailing future F1 star Gabriel Bortoleto.
“They decided to send Enzo, the second-best driver in F2 under their programme, packing,” Boesel lamented. “They also dropped the third, fourth, and fifth-ranked drivers, keeping only Hadjar. Nobody understands it.”
Hadjar, for his part, has validated Red Bull’s decision, continuing to excel in F2 and proving he has the credentials to carry the torch for the development programme.
What’s Next for Fittipaldi?
Enzo Fittipaldi’s F1 dreams may have hit a snag, but his talent and tenacity suggest his journey is far from over. As he adapts to yet another F2 team in 2024, the focus will be on consistency and delivering standout performances that could reignite his F1 prospects.
While Red Bull’s cutthroat approach has left many scratching their heads, it’s clear Fittipaldi remains a driver with immense potential. The door to F1 may have closed for now, but in motorsport, opportunities often resurface in the most unexpected ways.
