Franco Colapinto entered the Formula 1 spotlight with undeniable flair, stepping into the Williams cockpit mid-season and immediately making waves. But as 2024 winds down, his prospects for a full-time F1 seat in 2025 are fading, with Red Bull and Alpine—the two teams that once showed serious interest—now cooling their pursuit. What happened to the meteoric rise of South America’s newest F1 sensation?
A Stunning Start That Caught Everyone’s Attention
When Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams after the summer break, beginning at the Italian Grand Prix, few expected what came next. Despite his limited F1 experience, Colapinto adapted with breathtaking speed, holding his own against seasoned teammate Alex Albon. Points finishes in Azerbaijan and the United States underscored his potential, while the overwhelming commercial backing he drew from South America sent ripples through the paddock.
Suddenly, Colapinto wasn’t just Williams’ secret weapon. He was a coveted talent. Red Bull and Alpine executives began exploratory talks, intrigued by his blend of raw speed and commercial value. But as quickly as the doors seemed to open, cracks in his case began to show.
Crashes and Missed Opportunities That Shifted the Narrative
Momentum can be a fragile thing in Formula 1. Colapinto’s rise hit turbulence in Brazil, where he crashed twice—once during a wet qualifying session and again during the race under the safety car. Red Bull, which had been considering him for its AlphaTauri lineup or even as a wildcard to partner Max Verstappen, grew wary.
The situation worsened in Las Vegas, where another crash in qualifying sealed his fate in the eyes of both Red Bull and Alpine. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, had been seriously exploring Colapinto as an alternative to rookie Jack Doohan, even floating the idea of replacing Doohan or Esteban Ocon mid-season. But by the time the F1 circus reached Qatar, insiders reported that Alpine had backed away, leaving Colapinto’s future in limbo.
Red Bull’s Shift Toward Isack Hadjar
While Colapinto’s chances faded, Red Bull’s focus pivoted back to its Formula 2 junior driver, Isack Hadjar. Initially unimpressive during his FP1 debut at Silverstone, Hadjar has since rebounded in his F2 campaign, enough to rekindle Red Bull’s confidence. With Hadjar poised to contend for the F2 title and the team reluctant to sideline one of its own academy drivers in favor of an outsider, the writing on the wall became clear.
Red Bull’s decision isn’t just about Hadjar’s performance; it’s a statement of faith in its junior program. Promoting a homegrown talent is essential to maintaining credibility, especially after years of criticism over their development pipeline. For Colapinto, this means the one team that seemed most likely to buy him out of his Williams contract has officially moved on—for now.
The Long Road Ahead
For Colapinto, 2025 now looks like a year on the sidelines, a pause that could either derail his F1 dream or set the stage for a stronger return. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers one last opportunity to impress, but even a stellar performance might not be enough to sway the decision-makers at Red Bull or Alpine.
The door isn’t closed forever. Much like Colapinto’s peers Jack Doohan and Isack Hadjar, the ebb and flow of F1 opportunities often hinge on timing and performance. A strong start to 2025 for Colapinto as a reserve could reignite the interest that seemed all but lost.
Takeaway: The Brutal Reality of F1’s Talent Market
Franco Colapinto’s rise and stumble underscore the unforgiving nature of Formula 1. Success demands not just raw talent but near-flawless execution and impeccable timing. For now, Colapinto waits in the wings, knowing that in this sport, fortunes can change as quickly as the lights go out. His journey may be on pause, but the dream isn’t over—not yet.
