Friday’s F1 news round-up is here, and Franco Colapinto’s
future is the key topic under discussion as another team reportedly entered the
fray for his signature.
We have that, pundit reaction to his performances so far
and much more in our round-up, so let’s dive straight in.
F1 news: Alpine reportedly interested in Franco Colapinto
for F1 2025
In what would be a significant twist in the driver
market, Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore is claimed by Italian
publication La Gazzetta dello Sport to be interested in trying to
bring Colapinto to Team Enstone next season, despite having Pierre Gasly and
rookie Jack Doohan under contract for 2025.
Williams team principal James Vowles had said in Brazil
“multiple teams” had shown interest in the Argentine, who has impressed since
replacing Logan Sargeant earlier this season.
Despite the report, however, PlanetF1.com understands
Alpine’s 2025 driver line-up is confirmed with Doohan partnering Gasly next
season.
Read more: Huge
twist in Franco Colapinto saga as F1 team reconsiders 2025 line-up
Chandhok reaches ‘too soon’ verdict on Colapinto move to
Red Bull
Colapinto’s name is being mentioned with a potential move
to Red Bull next season, with team principal Christian Horner having been
spotted leaving the Williams motorhome at Interlagos at the weekend.
But with the youngster having driven only a handful of
races at Formula 1 level, he believes getting put straight up against Max
Verstappen may have adverse consequences, should such a move occur.
He told the Sky F1 podcast: “He’s clearly very
quick, clearly very talented.
“I think it’s too early. I think if they were talking
about putting him in an RB, I think that’ll be a good, sensible choice and a
career progression for him.
“I think if they put him in a Red Bull alongside Max, it
could destroy him. I think it’d be too soon.”
Read more: Early
Red Bull move ‘could destroy’ Franco Colapinto in ‘too soon’ verdict
Significant F1 calendar update on the horizon
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed there is set
to be news “very, very soon” regarding a potential rotational calendar of
certain European circuits in future, with the calendar oversubscribed in terms
of host tracks.
Demand to host a Grand Prix has risen exponentially in
recent years, but with the sport looking to cap its races at 24, rotation has
been spoken about as a solution to have races every other season, to ensure
countries are represented on the calendar.
Domenicali told a Liberty Media investors call: “It
is true that we have a large demand of new possible venues that wants to come
in and our choice will always be balanced between the right economical benefits
that we can have as a system, and also to leverage in the growth on the market
that we can see potential that will be beneficial for us to grow even further
our business.”
Read more: F1
calendar rotation coming ‘very, very soon’ with European races at risk
Insight into Fernando Alonso’s role in Gabriel Bortoleto
Sauber move
Additional reporting by Michelle Foster
Mattia Binotto said Fernando Alonso played “very little”
part in his thinking to sign his client, Gabriel Bortoleto next year – with the
young Brazilian being signed with the two-time World Champion’s A14 Management
agency.
It will be a case of manager vs client on the grid next
season, which Bortoleto revealed he and Alonso have already shared a joke
about, with the Aston Martin driver having several other talented young drivers
on his books.
Binotto told media including PlanetF1.com: “I know
very well Fernando from past experience. We met in the paddock but he never
influenced.
“He never tried really to come to me with a convincing
argument because I think what convinced me was Gabriel, nothing else. So no
with Fernando. Yes, I had one chat, but really, very, very little.”
Read more: The
truth behind Fernando Alonso’s role in Gabriel Bortoleto’s big F1 move
Sergio Perez given target for season conclusion by
Christian Horner
Christian Horner has said Sergio Perez “needs to be up
there scoring” in the final three races of the season, before Red Bull evaluate
what they will do heading into next year.
Perez is under pressure for his drive after his form has
dropped off following a solid start to 2024, but despite being awarded a new
contract earlier this season, he has not matched Max Verstappen on the other
side of the garage.
Horner told talkSPORT: “He’s not happy with how the
season has gone for him, as you would expect. So, he’s big enough and old
enough and wise enough to recognise that.
“But our focus is very much still on the Constructors’
Championship as well and we need Sergio to be up there scoring in these last
couple of races, or last three races, if we to have any chance of challenging
either Ferrari or McLaren.”
Read more: Sergio
Perez given final three-race target before big Red Bull decision
