Accustomed to living at maximum speed and making decisions in milliseconds, Franco Colapinto knows that he does not and should not be discouraged by having been left, for now, out of the select group of 20 drivers who will compete in the 2025 season of the Formula 1. Therefore, he takes advantage of every moment of his vacation in Argentina to recharge his batteries and share moments with his inner circle before returning to his old job as a test pilot. Williamsbehind Spanish Carlos Sainz and the thai Alex Albon.
With his head held high and a smile that never fades, Colapinto spent the last few hours playing golf, his new passion, and paddle tennis with friends. He also took all the time in the world to cordially greet fans, with whom he took selfies and signed autographs in droves. The level of popularity of the brand new winner of the Olimpia de Oro is in the stratosphere.
The driver had already told days ago how his former F1 teammates, with Lando Norris First of all, they had pushed him to try golf, a discipline with which he seems to have had love at first sight. He said it is “the most difficult sport” because it is the opposite of what he usually does for a living. He was also seen playing paddle tennis with great enthusiasm, although without too many skills.
What will become of Colapinto’s life? For now it’s time to rest. He knows that once the New Year’s Eve holidays are over, he will have to rejoin Williams in his role as tester. I had already anticipated it James vowleshis boss at the Grove team, when Red Bull and Alpine were still appearing as possible destinations for the Argentine in 2025.
“If Franco is not in a seat next year, we will have him in a historic car, a two-year-old car, and he will run a lot to get a lot of speed. I have done this before in a previous life with Esteban (Ocon) when he was a year out of the category. And, indeed, Esteban is here today and remains a strong driver. There are things we can do effectively around him to maintain his strength.”Vowles explained before the Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate date of the season that has just ended.
Is Colapinto “condemned” to look at F1 from the outside throughout 2025? That is not known. In fact, in 2024, there were three drivers who started aboard a car and finished it, for different reasons, watching it on TV. One of them was Logan Sargeant, the American who was replaced by Colapinto himself.
Anything can happen in the Great Circus. And, beyond the fact that he is not on the starting grid of the season, it is known that Colapinto’s magnetism, charisma and sponsors are strong enough for the bosses of some teams to have his photo stuck on the refrigerator. It is the case of Alpinethe French team advised by the Italian Flavio Briatorewho was left with the thorn of not having been able to reach an agreement with Williams to acquire the Argentine’s services.
That is why the Australian Jack DoohanPierre Gasly’s teammate at Alpine, will be one of those who will continually be under the microscope in the first grands prix of the season. There, clearly, is an opportunity for “promotion” for Colapinto. The same thing happens in the Red Bull structure with the New Zealander Liam Lawson and the french Isack Hadjar as new faces and taking exams in each race. But there is no need to rush. For now it is time for relaxation. With golf, paddle tennis and selfies as a distraction before going full throttle again aboard a Formula 1.