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Jacques Villeneuve critiques Franco Colapinto: “He didn’t judge the situation really well”

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 21, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Alpine Sets Sights on Rising Star Franco Colapinto for 2026 as Driver Market Heats Up

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 8, 2024 Williams' Franco Colapinto before the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has shared blunt remarks on Franco Colapinto’s missed opportunity to secure a full-time F1 seat for the 2025 season. After impressing in a limited stint with Williams in 2024, the young Argentine driver’s inconsistent performances ultimately left him without a permanent seat, a situation Villeneuve says Colapinto has only himself to blame for.

A golden chance squandered

Colapinto, 21, got his F1 break midseason in 2024 when Williams promoted him to replace Logan Sargeant after the Dutch Grand Prix. The Formula 2 standout showed promise with points finishes in Singapore and the United States, earning praise from top teams like Red Bull and Alpine.

However, a series of high-profile incidents—including multiple crashes in Brazil, a shunt in Las Vegas, and a first-lap DNF in Qatar—derailed his momentum. Williams ultimately opted for a 2025 lineup featuring Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, leaving Colapinto to join Alpine as a reserve driver.

Villeneuve was unsparing in his assessment of the situation, telling Action Network:
“Franco Colapinto damaged his chances. If you are given the golden chance, it’s for you to make the most of it. He can’t cry about it.”

The Canadian added:
“He got a few races in F1—not many people get that. But he showed he didn’t judge the situation really well. It’s impressive he got the chance, but now his future depends on how others perform.”

A new wave of young talent

The 2025 F1 grid will feature an influx of rookie drivers, with six debutants: Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman, and Liam Lawson. While Doohan and Bearman have prior Grand Prix experience, others, like reigning F2 champion Bortoleto, are untested at the highest level.

Villeneuve expressed skepticism about the readiness of these young drivers, criticizing the trend of fast-tracking talent into F1:
“Formula 2 has never been a good judge of drivers. They get into F1 with so little experience—it’s very difficult to understand how you can reach the top level of the biggest sport in the world so quickly.”

He specifically referenced Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s struggles at Monza as an example of the challenges faced by young, inexperienced drivers transitioning to F1.

Colapinto’s uncertain future

Colapinto’s 2025 prospects hinge on the performance of Alpine’s Jack Doohan. If Doohan falters in the early stages of the season, Colapinto could find himself back in the running for a seat. However, Villeneuve cautioned that the young driver must demonstrate better decision-making and consistency to revive his F1 career.

“He’s still a quick driver, but what happens next depends on him. F1 is unforgiving, and you don’t get many second chances.”

The challenge for rookies in F1

With an unprecedented number of rookies on the grid in 2025, the spotlight will be on the next generation to prove their mettle. Villeneuve’s criticisms of Formula 2 as an inconsistent talent gauge and his concerns about young drivers’ lack of experience underscore the difficulties many face when stepping into the world’s most competitive motorsport.

As the season unfolds, both Colapinto and the 2025 rookie class will be under scrutiny, tasked with either capitalizing on their opportunities or risking being overshadowed in the fast-paced world of Formula 1.

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