For Franco Colapinto, the ‘line’ is no longer there: he will do many tests with Williams in 2025. Franco Colapinto will do many tests with Williams in 2025.

The ‘Franco-mania’ has faded
Some time ago, we talked about a potential ‘mass hallucination’ regarding Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver, who was surprisingly chosen by Williams to replace Logan Sargeant, objectively impressed in his first outings, collecting valuable points and even setting fastest laps in the race. The performances of the Argentine driver – followed by a sea of light blue and white fans throughout the Americas trip – rightly attracted the attention of several managers and team principals, but the latest incidents involving Franco Colapinto have gradually cooled off the ‘Colapinto-mania.’

Unless there are last-minute surprises, Franco Colapinto will not be on the starting grid in 2025. The U.S. outlet racer.com had suggested that Alpine’s ‘advance’ with Jack Doohan – who will be on track in Abu Dhabi in place of Esteban Ocon – could be a move to potentially keep the door open to put Franco Colapinto in the car in 2025, but it should not be forgotten that Flavio Briatore commented on the double podium in Brazil, not sparing a jab at the hype generated by Franco Colapinto’s performances. “Experience counts a lot in F1, as we have seen with drivers who were considered great until three days ago,” said Flavio Briatore. Alpine’s exit as one of Franco Colapinto’s suitors follows Red Bull’s, with Helmut Marko, after an initial infatuation, acknowledging that there are no better drivers on the market than those already in the Red Bull galaxy (Hadjar is the favorite for promotion to Racing Bulls if Sergio Perez is replaced by Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson, and any potential F2 title would only boost the Frenchman’s prospects).

As reported by Auto Motor und Sport, Franco Colapinto will have to settle for the role of reserve driver at Williams in 2025. The Grove-based team will still organize an extensive test program to allow Franco Colapinto to drive the TPC cars, which are vehicles that can be used in private tests and are at least two years older than the current season (so, the 2023 car).