Brazilian driver Enzo Fittipaldi was close to landing a coveted Formula 1 seat with Red Bull's rebranded RB team for 2024, according to his consultant and investor Pedro Boesel. A member of Red Bull's junior team, he had almost secured the opportunity, including a private F1 test, but was ultimately dropped, leaving fans and insiders to question the decision.
From promising F2 star to the brink of F1
Fittipaldi joined Red Bull's driver development program at the end of 2022, riding the momentum of a debut season in Formula 2 where he finished eighth and reached the podium six times. The 2023 season, however, has proven to be a mixed bag of results. Despite a maiden F2 victory at Spa and moments of brilliance, inconsistent results left him seventh in the standings, far behind champion Theo Pourchaire.
His struggles appear to have come at the worst possible time, coinciding with Red Bull's decision to reduce its development workforce. Yet, according to Boesel, Fittipaldi was once the ideal candidate for a seat at RB (formerly AlphaTauri), with the support of Red Bull executives for his promotion.
“Enzo had a meeting with Red Bull management, and they told him he was their choice to drive for AlphaTauri in 2024,” Boesel revealed to Brazilian outlet Motorsport.com.
The Private Test That Could Have Changed Everything
Fittipaldi's Formula 1 aspirations took a significant step forward in July 2023 when he took part in a private F1 test, apparently just days after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The test coincided with Daniel Ricciardo's high-profile return to a Red Bull seat, adding even more intrigue to the session.
“It was a private test in Europe, right after the Silverstone race,” Boesel shared. “From there, Enzo seemed to solidify his place.”
A Crucial Turning Point in Spa
Fittipaldi strengthened his F1 record a few weeks later in the Belgian Grand Prix Sprint Race, where he took his first F2 victory. He followed that with a podium finish in the Main Race, showing the kind of form Red Bull looks for in its drivers. But his performance dipped in the final stretch of the season, with three non-scores undermining his previous momentum.
The Mystery of Red Bull's Decision
Despite his undeniable potential, Red Bull chose to part ways with Fittipaldi and retained only Isack Hadjar, who currently sits second in the F2 standings, trailing narrowly behind future F1 star Gabriel Bortoleto.
“They decided to fire Enzo, the second best driver in F2 under their program,” Boesel lamented. “They also removed the drivers classified third, fourth and fifth, keeping only Hadjar. Nobody understands that.”
Hadjar, for his part, validated Red Bull's decision, continuing to excel in F2 and proving he has the qualifications to carry the torch for the development program.
What’s next for Fittipaldi?
Enzo Fittipaldi's F1 dreams may have hit a roadblock, but his talent and tenacity suggest his journey is far from over. As he adapts to a new F2 team in 2024, the focus will be on consistency and delivering standout performances that could revive his F1 prospects.
Although Red Bull's ruthless approach has left many perplexed, it is clear that Fittipaldi remains a driver with immense potential. The door to F1 may have closed for now, but in motorsport, opportunities often resurface in the most unexpected ways.
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