Rumors swirled in the Formula 1 paddock this week as Red Bull Racing’s sudden driver shake-up left fans speculating: Was Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto ever in the mix to replace underperforming Liam Lawson? The team’s decision to promote Yuki Tsunoda to partner Max Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix came swiftly after Lawson’s struggles in Australia and China.
But behind closed doors, whispers of Colapinto’s potential candidacy sparked intrigue—until a Red Bull insider stepped in to set the record straight.
Red Bull’s driver drama: The truth behind Franco Colapinto rumors
Despite buzz linking Colapinto to the vacant seat, sources close to the team confirm the Argentine was never seriously considered. The 21-year-old, who impressed during a late-2024 stint with Williams, saw his momentum derailed by a series of crashes in the season’s final races. These incidents, including a costly collision at the Qatar Grand Prix, reportedly cooled Red Bull’s initial interest.
Instead, the spotlight shifted to Isack Hadjar, a standout in Red Bull’s junior program who outperformed Franco Colapinto in Formula 2. “Hadjar proved consistently faster,” emphasized a senior Red Bull advisor, highlighting the Frenchman’s superior adaptability and racecraft.
The speculation intensified after Red Bull’s leadership met with Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes, a former Red Bull junior driver. However, insiders clarify the discussion focused on 17-year-old British F4 prodigy Fionn McLaughlin, not Colapinto.
“The meeting was about nurturing future talent, not current roster changes,” a source revealed, dismissing rumors of behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Behind the scenes, tensions flared over driver selection. Reports suggest Red Bull’s hierarchy was split, with one faction advocating for Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion due to his familiarity with the team’s systems, while another pushed for Liam Lawson’s retention.
Franco Colapinto’s name briefly entered the fray as a wildcard option, fueled by his dynamic Williams performances. However, his late-season mishaps and Hadjar’s dominance in F2 solidified the team’s pivot to Tsunoda.
The internal debate mirrors broader philosophical divides. A former F1 driver recently claimed Red Bull’s leadership clashed over prioritizing homegrown juniors versus external prospects. “There’s a tug-of-war between loyalty to the program and chasing instant results,” the source noted. While Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion aims to stabilize the lineup, critics question whether the 24-year-old can handle the pressure of partnering Verstappen, especially at his home Grand Prix.
For Colapinto, the door to Red Bull seems closed—for now. His Alpine reserve role offers a chance to refine his skills, but the team’s faith in Hadjar signals a long-term bet on their academy stars. As Red Bull navigates this transitional phase, one thing is clear: Their driver decisions will remain under the microscope, blending ambition with relentless scrutiny.