Franco Colapinto has become a focal point in the driver market. After his unexpected Formula 1 debut with Williams, stepping in for Logan Sargeant, the young Argentine driver quickly caught attention with his speed, determination, and ability to score points.
Franco Colapinto also made headlines for rallying Argentine fans and putting Formula 1 back on the radar in South America.
Initially linked to the vacant seat at Sauber, Franco Colapinto now seems closer to Red Bull. At the Austrian team, Max Verstappen is the clear anchor, while Sergio Perez is not expected to return next season. At Red Bull’s Faenza-based team, current drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are hoping for a promotion to the main team.
What’s certain is that a fourth driver will need to be “recruited” within a few months. Some drivers from Red Bull’s junior program have been mentioned, but Helmut Marko’s attention now seems focused on the Argentine from Williams.
Remember, though, what happened to Nyck De Vries? In 2022, the Mercedes reserve driver was called in at Williams to replace Alexander Albon at the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit. His impressive qualifying performance and ninth-place finish in the race led the Dutch driver to sign a contract with AlphaTauri for 2023.
The 2019 Formula 2 and 2021 Formula E Champion only “lasted” ten Grands Prix before Marko replaced him with Daniel Ricciardo. Franco Colapinto isn’t De Vries, but Red Bull’s methods and leadership remain the same, and the treatment the Dutchman faced could also await the Argentine.
Franco, be careful! You deserve Formula 1, but perhaps you don’t deserve the treatment Red Bull sometimes gives its drivers.
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