Argentine F1 sensation Franco Colapinto was once in Red Bull's sights as a potential teammate of Max Verstappen, but a combination of late-season mistakes and Red Bull's dense talent pool saw that fail. transfer. Instead, Colapinto landed a long-term contract with Alpine, securing his future in Formula 1.
The point of Red Bull: The path that could have been
Colapinto burst onto the F1 scene in 2024, replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams mid-season and putting in impressive performances, including two points finishes in his first four races. His remarkable debut coincided with growing uncertainty at Red Bull, as Sergio Perez's struggles made an eventual departure inevitable.
According to Maria Catarineu, Colapinto's manager at Bullet Sports Management, Red Bull boss Christian Horner has shown genuine interest in the Argentine, even visiting Williams' hospitality unit at the Brazilian Grand Prix to explore the possibilities.
“Clearly, Christian has shown an interest in Franco,” Catarineu told Heart of F1. “It could have been for Red Bull as Max's teammate or for the second Red Bull team. But that didn’t come to fruition.”
Red Bull’s decision to promote Liam Lawson from its in-house academy ultimately closed the door on Colapinto, with Catarineu citing Red Bull’s deep pool of talent as a significant factor.
“Red Bull has a very strong academy with drivers already waiting,” she explained.
End-of-season setbacks disrupt Red Bull talks
Although Colapinto showed flashes of brilliance, his late-season struggles—including several high-profile incidents—dampened Red Bull's enthusiasm. As a result, attention turned to Lawson, who had already been groomed within Red Bull's junior program.
Alpine intervenes: A new chapter
Despite missing out on an opportunity at Red Bull, Colapinto's F1 journey took a positive turn with Alpine's entry into the mix. Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor, played a key role in securing Colapinto for the team, seemingly showing an unwavering determination to bring in Argentine talent.
-“Flavio said, 'I want it, and I want it like this and like that,'” Catarineu revealed.
The contract, finalized around the same time as Red Bull's interest, 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 step in a career that only a few months ago seemed uncertain. His manager reflected on this emotional roller coaster:
“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's happy. Very happy.”
Although 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 team.
What's next for Colapinto?
The Argentine's journey in Formula 1 highlights the complexities of modern driver markets, where talent alone is not always enough. Although the Red Bull opportunity did not materialize, Colapinto's contract with Alpine provides a solid foundation for his future in F1, with the potential to become a key player in future seasons.
