Former Formula 1 driver and respected pundit Karun Chandhok has shared his thoughts on the speculation surrounding Franco Colapinto’s potential move to Red Bull Racing. Chandhok, speaking on the Sky F1 podcast, voiced his belief that a Red Bull seat may be premature for the young Argentine driver, suggesting that a role at Red Bull’s junior team, AlphaTauri, would be a more sensible step forward.
Colapinto has made an impressive entry into F1 since joining Williams mid-season, stepping in for Logan Sargeant and marking his debut at the Italian Grand Prix. Scoring his first points with an eighth-place finish in Baku, Colapinto has turned heads, despite a rocky performance in Brazil with crashes in both qualifying and the race. With Sargeant’s former seat now filled by Carlos Sainz for 2025, Colapinto’s future at Williams is uncertain, leading to increased interest from several teams, including Alpine and Red Bull.
Reflecting on Colapinto’s potential, Chandhok said: “He’s clearly very quick, very talented. But it’s been a bit of a surprise; his junior record didn’t indicate he’d be this good. It could be a mistake to put him in a Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen—it could destroy him.” Chandhok noted that the pressure and intensity of being in the top Red Bull seat could be too overwhelming for Colapinto at this stage, recommending a more measured approach.
Chandhok continued, suggesting that if Red Bull wants to develop Colapinto further, AlphaTauri could provide the ideal environment for growth. “If they’re talking about putting him in an AlphaTauri, that’s a sensible career progression for him,” Chandhok remarked. “He’s shown great potential, but he’s still learning, and it’s not yet the complete package Red Bull would need.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s driver lineup remains in question for next season, as Checo Pérez’s future is still uncertain and Liam Lawson is gaining favor. Chandhok thinks Red Bull should play it safe: “The best choice is if Checo improves and they don’t have to change anything. If not, they could put Liam in at Red Bull and Franco at AlphaTauri.”
While Colapinto’s impressive results have raised his stock, Chandhok believes that focusing on the long-term might be best for the 21-year-old and for Red Bull. “He’s made an impact and shown promise, but it’s still early days. I’d say, for himself and his management, it’s about thinking long-term.”
For now, the young driver will need to navigate the complexities of interest from top-tier teams while balancing a path that will nurture his potential without undue pressure. Chandhok’s advice offers a roadmap that may ensure Colapinto’s talent is fostered effectively, rather than risking his development with too much, too soon.
