BREAKING: Helmut Marko Refutes Franco Colapinto to Red Bull S…read more
BREAKING: Helmut Marko Refutes Franco Colapinto to Red Bull S…read more
Helmut Marko has put an end to speculation linking Franco Colapinto with a potential seat at Racing Bulls, clarifying that the Argentine driver was never a serious contender for Red Bull’s 2025 lineup.
Colapinto had been rumored to be in Red Bull’s sights for months, with reports suggesting he was under consideration before the team ultimately decided to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda.
His impressive performances as a late-season replacement for Logan Sargeant at Williams in 2024 initially attracted Red Bull’s attention. However, a series of significant crashes led the team to reconsider their interest in the 21-year-old driver.
After failing to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat, Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve driver for 2025, potentially positioning himself as a successor to Jack Doohan, who faces pressure in his rookie season.
Marko Clarifies Alpine Meeting
The rumors surrounding Colapinto and Red Bull gained traction after Marko was spotted in Alpine’s hospitality area during the Chinese Grand Prix, fueling speculation about Lawson’s future. However, Marko has now explained that his visit had nothing to do with Colapinto.
“Yes, I have a good relationship with Ollie Oakes,” Marko told Motorsport.com. “He has managed several of our junior drivers in his teams over the years. One of his current drivers competes in British F4, for example. That was the reason for our meeting—Colapinto was not a topic.”
Was Colapinto Ever a Real Option for Red Bull?
Despite earning five points in nine races for Williams, Colapinto was never a genuine candidate for Racing Bulls in 2025. Red Bull instead promoted Formula 2 runner-up Isack Hadjar to partner with Tsunoda.
Marko emphasized that although Colapinto had a strong start in F1, Hadjar’s consistent performance in Formula 2 made him the more compelling choice.
“Colapinto had a very strong debut in Formula 1,” Marko stated. “Of course, you always monitor a driver’s progress, but in the end, he was not seriously considered.
“We had Hadjar, who consistently outperformed Colapinto in Formula 2 and, as we have now confirmed, was the right choice.”
Now with Alpine, Colapinto will continue to serve as a reserve driver, awaiting an opportunity to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat in the future.
