Alpine driver Franco Colapinto’s clutch failure at Silverstone raises questions about his seat. Franco Colapinto’s clutch failure before the start at the 2025 British Grand Prix has raised doubts about his future with Alpine..

The reason for Franco Colapinto’s retirement at the British Grand Prix
In a Grand Prix weekend full of dramatic events like Silverstone 2025, one driver did not even take the start and watched the race from the team garage. That driver was Franco Colapinto, the Argentine racer who was supposed to start from the pit lane after changing his engine under Parc Fermé conditions. However, when he came into the pits to switch to slick tires, Franco Colapinto was unable to get his car moving again.

Initially, the problem was reported as a gearbox failure, but in recent hours a new report has emerged that places much greater responsibility on the Argentine driver himself. According to RacingNews365, Franco Colapinto actually burned his clutch. This was supported by a tense team radio transmission in which the driver complained that the car was stuck in second gear and could not restart.

The uncertain future ahead
“Oh my God, the same thing happened as in Barcelona,” said the number 43 driver, referring to a similar issue he experienced during Q1 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Montmeló that prevented him from completing his final flying lap on soft tires. If Colapinto is responsible for both incidents, it would mark him as a repeat offender. With a full two-week break before the next race weekend in Spa-Francorchamps, scheduled for the weekend of July 27, Alpine may seriously consider replacing him.

“I’ve heard rumors from the paddock saying that he burned the clutch,” reported British motorsport journalist Ian Parkes. “If that’s true, I would be very surprised if Colapinto is still racing in Belgium.”

Franco Colapinto, who replaced Jack Doohan after the Miami Grand Prix weekend, remains the only driver on the current Formula 1 grid with zero championship points. The Argentine has not delivered the impact that Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore had hoped for. In fact, Alpine’s modest points tally—which leaves them last in the Constructors’ Championship—is almost entirely due to the performances of Pierre Gasly.

Even in Q1 at Silverstone, Colapinto hit the wall, damaging his car and complicating not only his race weekend but also his prospects of remaining with the team. These difficulties come amid persistent rumors about a possible Alpine signing of Valtteri Bottas, which could further jeopardize Colapinto’s position.