In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where talent, timing, and opportunity collide, Franco Colapinto has emerged as a name to watch. The 21-year-old Argentine driver is poised to replace Jack Doohan at Alpine for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in May 2025, a move that has sent ripples through the paddock. This decision, coming just six races into the 2025 season, underscores the ruthless nature of F1 and highlights Colapinto’s rapid rise from reserve driver to potential race seat holder. But who is Franco Colapinto, and what has propelled him to this pivotal moment in his career?
A rising star from Buenos Aires
Born on May 27, 2003, in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Colapinto grew up with a passion for motorsport in a country where racing is woven into the cultural fabric. Argentina’s rich F1 history, headlined by legends like Juan Manuel Fangio, provided a backdrop of inspiration for the young driver. Colapinto’s journey began in karting, where he quickly showcased his raw talent. By his early teens, he was competing in national and international karting championships, laying the groundwork for a career in single-seater racing.
Colapinto’s transition to formula racing was swift. In 2018, at the age of 15, he made his debut in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship, a competitive series known for nurturing young talent. Driving for Drivex School, he claimed a podium in his first season, signaling his potential. The following year, he joined the prestigious FA Racing by Drivex team and dominated the series, securing the championship with nine wins and 11 pole positions.
Climbing the Formula Ladder
Colapinto’s success in Formula 4 paved the way for his progression through the junior formulae. In 2020, he stepped up to the Formula Renault Eurocup with MP Motorsport, a series renowned for producing F1 talent like Oscar Piastri and George Russell. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new car and competing against more experienced drivers, Colapinto finished third in the championship, with two wins and five podiums. His ability to compete at the front in his debut season demonstrated his adaptability and racecraft.
The next rung on the ladder was Formula 3, where Colapinto joined MP Motorsport in 2021. The FIA Formula 3 Championship, a fiercely competitive series run alongside F1 weekends, tested his mettle against some of the brightest prospects in motorsport. His first season was solid but unspectacular, with a best finish of third and a sixth-place championship result. However, his consistency and flashes of brilliance caught the attention of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, which signed him in 2022.
In 2022, Colapinto continued in Formula 3, this time with Van Amersfoort Racing. He secured two wins, including a standout victory in the Imola sprint race, and finished fourth in the championship. His performances showcased his speed and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that would later define his F1 cameo. By 2023, he had graduated to Formula 2 with MP Motorsport, balancing his racing commitments with his role as a Williams reserve driver. Despite a challenging season, he managed a win in the Monaco sprint race and finished 11th overall, proving he could compete at the highest junior level.
The Williams breakthrough
Colapinto’s big break came in 2024, when Williams called him up to replace Logan Sargeant mid-season after the Dutch Grand Prix. The American driver had struggled to deliver results, and Williams team principal James Vowles opted to give Colapinto a chance to prove himself. The Argentine’s debut at the Italian Grand Prix was a baptism by fire, but he rose to the occasion, qualifying 12th and finishing 12th in a car that was far from competitive. His composure in the high-pressure environment of F1 was remarkable for a driver with no prior grand prix experience.
Over the next eight races, Colapinto’s performances turned heads. He scored points in Azerbaijan, finishing eighth, and repeated the feat in the United States, showcasing his ability to extract the maximum from the Williams FW46. His standout moment came in Baku, where he navigated a chaotic race to secure his first F1 points in only his second grand prix. However, his stint was not without hiccups. Heavy crashes in Sao Paulo and Las Vegas highlighted his inexperience, but his raw pace and fearless approach outweighed the mistakes in the eyes of many observers.
Colapinto’s nine-race cameo with Williams earned him widespread praise and sparked interest from rival teams. Red Bull briefly considered him as a replacement for Sergio Perez, but ultimately opted for Liam Lawson. Alpine, however, saw an opportunity. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore, known for his keen eye for talent and commercial acumen, spearheaded the move to sign Colapinto as a reserve driver for 2025, with a multi-year deal that hinted at bigger plans. Williams, unable to offer him a full-time seat due to the arrival of Carlos Sainz, agreed to the loan deal, with Vowles publicly stating that it was designed to secure Colapinto a race seat in the future.
The Alpine opportunity
The 2025 season began with Jack Doohan as Alpine’s rookie driver, partnered with the experienced Pierre Gasly. Doohan, the son of motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, had been part of Alpine’s juniorynaptic from the start, but his F1 career got off to a rocky start. Crashes in Australia, Japan, and Miami, coupled with a failure to score points in his first six races, put him under intense scrutiny. Despite flashes of one-lap pace, including outqualifying Gasly in Miami, Doohan’s average qualifying gap to his teammate was 0.367 seconds, and Gasly finished ahead in five of six races. The pressure was compounded by rumors of Colapinto’s potential promotion, which began circulating as early as November 2024.
Alpine’s decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix reflects a combination of performance and commercial factors. Colapinto’s proven ability to score points with Williams, coupled with significant sponsorship backing from Argentine companies like YPF and Mercado Libre, made him an attractive prospect. Briatore’s influence, known for prioritizing results and financial incentives, likely tipped the scales in Colapinto’s favor. Reports suggest that Doohan was informed of the decision shortly after the Miami Grand Prix, with Alpine expected to retain him in a reserve or development role.
The move has sparked debate within the F1 community. Critics argue that Doohan, as a rookie, deserved more time to adapt, especially given the unstable environment created by Alpine’s ambiguous statements about his future. Others contend that six races is sufficient to gauge a driver’s potential in modern F1, and Colapinto’s prior success and commercial appeal make the swap a low-risk, high-reward move. Former F1 champion Damon Hill weighed in, suggesting that drivers like Doohan need “better contracts” to protect against such abrupt changes, hinting at the precarious nature of Doohan’s reported six-race deal.
What lies ahead for Colapinto
As Colapinto prepares to step into the Alpine A525 at Imola, he brings a wealth of experience despite his youth. His Formula 2 campaigns have familiarized him with the European tracks on the F1 calendar, and his reserve duties with Alpine, including simulator work and private testing, ensure he is race-ready. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix marks the start of a triple-header that includes Monaco and Barcelona, offering Colapinto an immediate chance to prove himself in a high-stakes environment.
Colapinto’s strengths lie in his adaptability and fearless driving style, qualities that served him well during his Williams stint. However, his crash-prone moments in 2024 serve as a reminder of the fine line between aggression and recklessness in F1. To succeed at Alpine, he will need to balance his natural speed with the consistency required to compete against seasoned drivers like Gasly, who has been a reliable points-scorer for the team.
The Argentine’s arrival also carries cultural significance. As the first Argentine F1 driver since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001, Colapinto is a national hero in a country passionate about motorsport. His fanbase, dubbed the “Colapintoneta,” is expected to bring a surge of support to Alpine, both in the stands and through sponsorship deals. This commercial boost aligns with Briatore’s vision for the team, which is currently ninth in the constructors’ championship with just seven points, all scored by Gasly.