Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest target is Franco Colapinto, the 21-year-old Argentine driver who made his F1 debut with Williams in 2024. Colapinto’s mid-season promotion to the grid was a shock move, but his underwhelming performance has drawn sharp criticism from Villeneuve.
Villeneuve: ‘He didn’t make the most of it’
Colapinto competed in nine races after his debut at Monza, scoring five points but retiring in three events. Despite flashes of speed, his inconsistent performances meant he failed to secure a full-time seat for 2025, missing out on Audi Sauber’s final spot to F2 champion Theo Pourchaire.
Villeneuve was blunt in his assessment:
“He wasted his chances. If you are given a golden opportunity, you must make the most of it. Now he can’t cry to himself. He ran a few races in F1, and it’s already surprising that he had this chance. He is a fast driver, but he has shown that he has not evaluated his situation well.”
Colapinto’s new role at Alpine
While Colapinto didn’t land a race seat for 2025, he secured a reserve driver role with Alpine, signaling that teams still see potential in the young driver. The Argentine expressed enthusiasm for his new position, vowing to help Alpine return to the top of the F1 grid.
“My role within the team will be to help, to help with everything I can, to bring the team back to the top, to improve the car as much as possible.”
Colapinto’s reserve role could potentially position him for a full-time seat in 2026, with rumors circulating that he might replace Jack Doohan if the Australian fails to deliver.
A missed opportunity or a stepping stone?
Colapinto’s 2024 stint highlighted both his raw talent and his inexperience. Scoring points as a rookie in a mid-field car like the Williams was commendable, but his mistakes and lack of consistency left a lasting impression. Villeneuve’s critique, while harsh, underscores the high stakes of F1, where opportunities are fleeting, and pressure is relentless.
For now, Colapinto has a chance to rebuild his reputation at Alpine, leveraging his role to prove his worth to the paddock.
