Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 world champion, has voiced his thoughts on Franco Colapinto’s recent promotion to a full-time driver for Alpine, replacing Jack Doohan for the next five races. After the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine confirmed Colapinto’s return, who had previously been a test and reserve driver for the team.
Colapinto’s trajectory in racing seems promising, highlighted by his performances during his nine-race stint with Williams last season. While he displayed impressive speed alongside teammate Alex Albon, his career faced a setback due to some notable errors that tarnished his reputation by the end of 2024. Despite interest from Red Bull and Alpine, he ultimately took on a reserve role with Alpine.
As Colapinto prepares for his debut this weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, he enters a pivotal moment in his career. Villeneuve has expressed some reservations about Colapinto’s ability to balance speed and control, noting, “He’s fast, but he’s also a crasher.” Villeneuve emphasizes the importance of Colapinto proving that he can maintain his speed without making mistakes, suggesting that this struggle could define his upcoming performances.
Driver Jamie Chadwick weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Colapinto’s familiarity with European tracks could work to his advantage. She pointed out that last season he faced many challenging circuits he was less accustomed to, which hindered his performance. For Colapinto, the upcoming races will be crucial, as he needs to demonstrate consistent performance and earn points for the team to secure his position for the remainder of the season.
This new opportunity presents both a challenge and a pivotal moment for Franco Colapinto. Fans will be eager to see how he adapts and whether he can prove that he can deliver solid performances under pressure. The consensus among commentators is clear: while potential abounds, tangible results will ultimately determine Colapinto’s future within Formula 1.