In the ever-evolving world of Formula 1, young talent is often spotted early, with racing teams looking to invest in the drivers who show the most promise. Franco Colapinto, the rising star from Argentina, is one such driver who has caught the eye of many, including Red Bull Racing, which has a history of bringing up young drivers through its illustrious driver development program. However, in a candid assessment of Colapinto’s potential future, former F1 driver and current pundit Karun Chandhok has raised concerns about the risks involved in a premature move to one of the top teams—particularly Red Bull, where the spotlight is firmly on Max Verstappen. Chandhok believes that making the leap to Red Bull too soon could have serious consequences for Colapinto’s career and his development as a driver.
Franco Colapinto, born in Pilar, Argentina, has made significant strides in his motorsport career since transitioning from karting to single-seaters. Colapinto’s rise has been marked by impressive performances in various junior categories, including the Formula 3 Championship, where he has shown remarkable consistency and adaptability on the track. His combination of raw speed, racecraft, and maturity beyond his years has made him one of the most highly regarded young talents in motorsport.
In 2023, Colapinto made his Formula 1 debut as a test driver for the Williams Racing team, a team known for nurturing young talent and providing opportunities to develop. Williams, which has been on the path of revival in recent years, sees in Colapinto the potential to be a cornerstone of the team’s future success. His role as a test driver in the F1 program has given him invaluable experience, working with a team that has strong connections with driver development and fostering young talent. With this, Colapinto’s profile has risen, and speculations about a potential move to a top-tier team like Red Bull Racing have become increasingly frequent.
Red Bull Racing, led by the prodigious talent of Max Verstappen, is currently the most dominant force in Formula 1. Verstappen has taken the sport by storm, not only securing back-to-back World Championships but also establishing himself as the best driver of his generation. Red Bull’s program, which has previously nurtured champions like Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, is a highly coveted pathway for young drivers aiming to break into the pinnacle of motorsport.
However, for many up-and-coming drivers, moving to a team with such a dominant figure as Verstappen presents a unique set of challenges. Verstappen’s status as the team leader is unassailable, and the environment at Red Bull is intensely focused on delivering him consistent success. While this has undoubtedly been a golden period for Red Bull, it has also meant that the team’s second seat is often a place of intense scrutiny and difficult comparisons.
This dynamic can be particularly tough for drivers who are not yet fully prepared to handle the pressure, both in terms of the car and the intense public attention. The example of drivers like Sergio Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021 and has struggled at times to match Verstappen’s pace, shows how difficult it can be to thrive in the shadow of such a dominant figure.
As Colapinto’s star continues to rise, many F1 experts have speculated about his potential future with the top teams. Among them is Karun Chandhok, the former F1 driver and current commentator, who has offered a cautionary note about Colapinto making the move to Red Bull too soon.
Chandhok, speaking in an interview with motorsport media, acknowledged Colapinto’s undeniable talent but expressed concern that a switch to Red Bull at this stage in his career could be detrimental to his long-term development. According to Chandhok, while the allure of joining a team like Red Bull is immense, the timing has to be right.
Chandhok stated, “Franco is a very talented driver, and I’m sure he has the potential to be a future star of Formula 1. But moving to a team like Red Bull with Max Verstappen at the helm would be too soon for him. It could actually destroy him as a driver. When you’re up against someone as dominant as Verstappen, and the whole team is focused on his success, it’s very easy to get lost in the shuffle.”
Chandhok’s warning stems from a broader concern about the impact that joining a team at the wrong stage in a driver’s career can have. He referred to the pressure of competing against a driver like Verstappen, whose level of performance is so high that it can overshadow his teammate. For a young driver, this constant comparison could be mentally taxing and damaging to confidence, especially if they are still in the process of developing their racecraft and adapting to the demanding environment of Formula 1.
In Formula 1, success is not just about raw talent; it’s about experience, adaptability, and psychological fortitude. Colapinto, despite his impressive resume in junior categories, has yet to experience the full grind of a Formula 1 season, and racing for a team like Red Bull, with its high expectations and laser focus on Verstappen, could quickly become overwhelming.
Chandhok also highlighted that Formula 1 is a highly complex sport where a single bad year or string of underperformances can severely hinder a driver’s career trajectory. Joining a top team like Red Bull too early, without the necessary experience or the chance to develop over time, could mean a quick exit from the sport. In contrast, drivers who move to mid-tier teams, like Williams, can often get more time to adapt, grow, and build their confidence, something that may not be possible in the high-pressure environment of Red Bull.
For Colapinto, his current position at Williams Racing may be the ideal place to continue honing his skills. Williams, though not one of the front-running teams, is steadily improving, and its commitment to nurturing young drivers could provide Colapinto with the ideal environment to grow. The team’s development program, combined with the chance to gain race experience in a less pressurized environment, could be exactly what Colapinto needs at this stage in his career.
Chandhok emphasized that a more gradual progression—perhaps moving through a team like Williams, then potentially a mid-tier squad such as Alpine or McLaren—could provide Colapinto with the right balance of challenge and opportunity. “It’s not about rushing to the front,” Chandhok said. “It’s about building your experience, your confidence, and then stepping into a top team when you’re ready. Colapinto has the talent, no doubt, but there’s no rush.”
In Formula 1, history has shown that the key to long-term success is patience and careful management of a driver’s progression. Colapinto is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young talents in the sport, and there is no question that his future in Formula 1 is bright. However, as Karun Chandhok points out, moving to a team like Red Bull too soon could be a double-edged sword, one that could ultimately hinder his growth rather than accelerate it.
For now, Colapinto’s best path forward may be to continue learning and developing at Williams, gaining valuable experience and honing his craft in a team that offers room for growth. With time and the right opportunities, Colapinto may one day be ready to take on the challenge of a top team, but as Chandhok warns, that moment must come when he is truly prepared to handle the pressure that comes with it. The journey to the top of Formula 1 is rarely a straight line, and sometimes, patience is the key to lasting success.