Karun Chandhok, a former F1 driver, has voiced concerns over Franco Colapinto’s potential move to Red Bull, suggesting it may be “too soon” in his career for such a high-stakes role. While Colapinto, a young and talented Argentine driver, has shown promise on the F1 grid, Chandhok believes a jump to Red Bull might be premature. Instead, he proposes that a move to Red Bull’s sister team, VCARB, could allow Colapinto to continue his development in a less demanding environment, easing his transition into top-tier racing without the intense pressure that comes with Red Bull.
Colapinto’s prospects became a focal point following a recent meeting between Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Williams team principal James Vowles. Although Vowles confirmed that there’s interest from other teams, he emphasized that any decision regarding Colapinto’s future will need to safeguard the young driver’s career progression. With Carlos Sainz expected to join Williams in the upcoming season and Alex Albon still under contract, Colapinto’s tenure with Williams could be cut short. Nevertheless, his performances since stepping in for Logan Sargeant have piqued the interest of several F1 teams.
While Chandhok acknowledges that Colapinto has made a strong impression with a “perfect job interview” through his recent results, he worries that joining Red Bull could be overwhelming for the newcomer. The pressures of competing alongside Max Verstappen could place undue stress on Colapinto, potentially stunting his growth rather than nurturing his skill set. Chandhok suggests that VCARB, Red Bull’s sister team, could offer Colapinto a balanced path to further hone his skills without facing the intense scrutiny a Red Bull seat entails.
Chandhok pointed out that Colapinto’s performances, though promising, have been inconsistent, with strong showings in Singapore and Baku followed by struggles in Mexico and Brazil, where he fell behind Albon. This uneven performance record indicates, according to Chandhok, that Colapinto might benefit from more experience and refinement in his driving approach. A stint with VCARB, Chandhok believes, would allow him to address these gaps in a competitive but supportive setting, thus ensuring a more solid foundation for the future.
In Chandhok’s view, a conservative approach would benefit both Colapinto and Red Bull in the long run. Red Bull could retain Sergio Perez or promote a seasoned driver like Liam Lawson while allowing Colapinto to gain crucial experience at VCARB. Such a trajectory would help Colapinto gradually adjust to the pressures of F1, positioning him for a stronger start when he is fully prepared for the main Red Bull team. This strategic patience, Chandhok suggests, could make Colapinto a more formidable driver and ensure a more successful career in the years ahead.
