Franco Colapinto Passes FIA Safety Test Ahead of....

Franco Colapinto Passes FIA Safety Test Ahead of….read more

Franco Colapinto, a rising talent in the world of Formula 1, has successfully cleared a mandatory FIA safety test ahead of his highly anticipated return to the grid at this weekend’s Imola Grand Prix. The 21-year-old Argentine driver will be making his first appearance with the Alpine team, stepping in as a replacement for Jack Doohan, who was recently dropped after a difficult start to the 2025 season.

Colapinto’s re-entry into Formula 1 comes after a five-month absence from the sport. He previously competed in a short but promising stint with Williams during the 2024 season. Although his performances caught the attention of many, the arrival of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari ultimately meant that Colapinto’s seat at Williams would not be renewed. Recognizing the competitive nature of the grid and looking to secure his future in the sport, Colapinto made the strategic decision to join Alpine as a reserve driver.

His patience and persistence have now paid off. With Alpine making a significant change to its driver lineup, Colapinto has been called up to replace Doohan, whose run of disappointing results over the first six races of the season led to the team making a bold mid-season switch. The decision marks Colapinto’s full-time return to F1, making him a new addition to the 2025 grid.

Before being allowed to compete, Colapinto was required to complete the FIA’s pre-race safety protocols, a standard procedure for any driver who is either new to Formula 1 or returning to the sport in a different team. The most critical part of this test involves demonstrating the ability to exit the cockpit unassisted within 12 seconds — an important measure of safety that ensures a driver can escape in case of an emergency such as fire or a crash.

Colapinto reportedly passed this test successfully, along with the accompanying cockpit compliance test. This secondary test checks whether the driver has the proper clearance, particularly around the knees, to safely and comfortably fit within the car’s cockpit — a crucial factor not only for safety but also for driver performance. Both tests were completed and approved by the FIA, clearing Colapinto for race participation.

This milestone is not just procedural, but symbolic. It marks the formal beginning of Colapinto’s new chapter in Formula 1, and with Alpine placing its confidence in him, all eyes will be on how he performs at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola.

Alpine’s decision to promote Colapinto is being seen as a significant move in what has already been a turbulent start to the 2025 season. The team has struggled to find consistency and competitiveness, and with Doohan unable to deliver the expected results, team bosses were under pressure to make a change. Colapinto, known for his raw speed and technical insight, now has the opportunity to prove that he can be a long-term solution for Alpine.

The Imola Grand Prix will offer the first real glimpse of what Colapinto can do in the Alpine car, and with the added pressure of proving himself mid-season, the challenge is as intense as ever. However, having already demonstrated resilience in the face of setbacks and adaptability across different teams, Colapinto may well be poised for a breakthrough performance.

With the FIA green light now behind him, Colapinto is officially back on the grid, ready to take on the next chapter of his Formula 1 journey — starting at one of the sport’s most iconic circuits.