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Franco Colapinto’s near-miss with Red Bull: How an F1 dream with Verstappen’s team slipped away

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 17, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Could Franco Colapinto Spark an Argentine F1 Revival even with the disastrous campaign in MotoGP ?

Argentine F1 sensation Franco Colapinto was once in Red Bull’s sights as a potential teammate for Max Verstappen, but a combination of late-season missteps and Red Bull’s packed talent pool saw the move fall apart. Instead, Colapinto has landed a long-term deal with Alpine, securing his future in Formula 1.


Red Bull’s interest: The path that could’ve been

Colapinto burst onto the F1 scene in 2024, replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams mid-season and delivering impressive performances, including two points finishes in his first four races. His standout debut coincided with growing uncertainty at Red Bull, as Sergio Perez’s struggles made an eventual departure seem inevitable.

According to Maria Catarineu, Colapinto’s manager at Bullet Sports Management, Red Bull boss Christian Horner expressed genuine interest in the Argentine, even visiting Williams’ hospitality unit during the Brazilian Grand Prix to explore possibilities.

“Clearly, Christian showed an interest in Franco,” Catarineu told Corazon de F1. “It could have been for Red Bull as Max’s teammate or for the second Red Bull team. But it didn’t work out.”

Red Bull’s decision to promote Liam Lawson from its in-house academy ultimately closed the door for Colapinto, with Catarineu citing Red Bull’s deep talent pool as a significant factor.

“Red Bull has a very powerful academy with drivers already waiting,” she explained.


Late-season setbacks derail Red Bull talks

While Colapinto showed flashes of brilliance, his late-season struggles—including several high-profile incidents—cooled Red Bull’s enthusiasm. As a result, the focus shifted toward Lawson, who had already been groomed within Red Bull’s junior program.


Alpine swoops in: A new chapter

Despite missing out on a Red Bull opportunity, Colapinto’s F1 journey took a positive turn as Alpine entered the fray. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, played a pivotal role in securing Colapinto for the team, reportedly showing unwavering determination to bring the Argentine talent on board.

“Flavio said, ‘I want him, and I want him like this and like this,’” Catarineu revealed.

The deal, finalized around the same time as Red Bull’s interest, has positioned Colapinto for a promising future. Initially, he will serve as Alpine’s reserve driver in 2025, combining simulator duties with Testing Previous Cars (TPC) programs.


Overcoming uncertainty

For Colapinto, the move to Alpine marks a significant milestone in a career that, just months ago, appeared uncertain. His manager reflected on the emotional rollercoaster:

“You have to realize that just a few months ago, we didn’t know if we were ever going to be in Formula 1. Now he is happy. Very happy.”

While speculation suggests Colapinto could eventually replace Jack Doohan on Alpine’s F1 grid, his immediate focus is on development and preparation with the Anglo-French squad.


What’s next for Colapinto?

The Argentine’s journey to Formula 1 highlights the complexities of modern driver markets, where talent alone isn’t always enough. Though the Red Bull opportunity didn’t materialize, Colapinto’s deal with Alpine provides a solid foundation for his future in F1, with the potential to become a key player in the coming seasons.

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