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Franco Colapinto’s F1 Dream Hits a Wall: Red Bull and Alpine Drop Interest as Williams Future Stalls

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Franco Colapinto’s F1 Dream Hits a Wall: Red Bull and Alpine Drop Interest as Williams Future Stalls

Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - December 1, 2024 Williams' Franco Colapinto ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Franco Colapinto’s once-promising Formula 1 prospects have taken a dramatic turn as both Red Bull and Alpine have cooled their interest in the rising star. Despite a stellar debut with Williams in the latter half of the 2024 season, Colapinto’s chances of securing a full-time F1 seat in 2025 now appear to be fading fast.


A Promising Start Turns Sour

Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams after the summer break, impressing early with points finishes in Azerbaijan and the United States. His raw pace and rapid adaptation to the sport caught the attention of Red Bull and Alpine, both of whom saw him as a potential rising talent.

Red Bull reportedly had a conditional deal in place, hinging on Colapinto matching or surpassing his teammate Alex Albon’s performance. Meanwhile, Alpine considered him as a possible alternative to rookie Jack Doohan, with the potential to leverage Colapinto’s significant commercial backing from South America.

However, Colapinto’s performance faltered in the season’s closing races. A pair of crashes in Brazil, one in wet qualifying and another under the safety car, tarnished his momentum. A further crash during Las Vegas qualifying appeared to seal the deal, leading both Red Bull and Alpine to distance themselves.


Red Bull Shifts Focus to Isack Hadjar

Red Bull’s fading interest in Colapinto coincides with a renewed focus on their own junior, Isack Hadjar. Initially, Hadjar’s shaky FP1 outing at Silverstone raised doubts about his readiness. But Red Bull has since warmed to promoting their Formula 2 title contender, recognizing the importance of backing their own talent pipeline.

The team is now expected to place Hadjar in an F1 seat, potentially alongside Verstappen in an RB practice session at Abu Dhabi. This move could solidify Red Bull’s commitment to their development program, avoiding the optics of bypassing a successful junior for an external prospect like Colapinto.


Alpine’s Internal Shuffle Clouds Colapinto’s Chances

Alpine’s flirtation with Colapinto was driven by executive advisor Flavio Briatore, who viewed the Williams driver as a potential upgrade for their 2025 lineup. Speculation suggested Alpine might even bench Esteban Ocon late in 2024 to test Doohan, creating a direct comparison between the two drivers.

However, Colapinto’s recent missteps have seemingly ended Alpine’s immediate interest, leaving him sidelined as the team prepares for 2025 with Doohan and Pierre Gasly at the helm.


Williams Holds the Line, But Options Dwindle

Williams remains committed to Colapinto’s development, switching him to a latest-spec front suspension mid-weekend in Qatar to boost his performance. Yet, the team is reportedly not in a position to field him as a full-time driver for 2025, leaving him relegated to a reserve role with limited opportunities.


What’s Next for Colapinto?

Colapinto’s future now hinges on an exceptional performance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but even that might not sway the decisions already made by Red Bull and Alpine. The most likely outcome is a year on the sidelines as Williams’ reserve driver, with opportunities to test older cars and continue refining his craft.

With Red Bull favoring Hadjar and Alpine doubling down on Doohan, Colapinto faces an uphill battle to remain relevant in the F1 conversation. However, the volatile nature of the sport means opportunities can arise quickly. Should Hadjar or Doohan falter early in 2025, Colapinto may yet find his way back into contention.


The Harsh Reality of F1’s Ruthless Nature

Colapinto’s journey underscores the unforgiving environment of Formula 1, where even the most promising talents must navigate immense pressure, perform flawlessly, and capitalize on limited opportunities. As 2025 approaches, Colapinto’s F1 aspirations hang in the balance, a stark reminder that raw talent alone is rarely enough to secure a seat in motorsport’s most competitive arena.

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