FIA announce late demotion for F1 star at British after…read more
Franco Colapinto’s difficult debut Formula 1 season has taken another hit following a late FIA decision ahead of the 2025 British Grand Prix. The Alpine driver, already enduring a miserable qualifying session, has now been demoted to start from the pit lane after a breach of parc fermé rules due to significant changes made to his car.
The trouble began during qualifying at Silverstone, where Colapinto, starting the weekend under pressure, saw his session end in disappointment. The 22-year-old Argentine lost control of his car with just under eight minutes remaining in Q1, sliding into the barriers. Though he managed to get moving again, his car sustained enough damage to force him to stop at Copse corner. This incident triggered a red flag and brought his qualifying efforts to an early end, leaving him 20th on the grid.
Alpine’s woes deepened just before race day when they were forced to make extensive changes to Colapinto’s power unit. The modifications, made under parc fermé conditions, included the installation of a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H, MGU-K, energy store, control electronics, and exhaust system. Such alterations violate FIA regulations concerning car setup during parc fermé and must be reported to race stewards. Following an official report from FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer, the decision was made to reassign Colapinto’s starting position from the back of the grid to the pit lane.
This latest setback compounds what has already been a frustrating season for Colapinto. Having taken over Jack Doohan’s seat earlier in the year, expectations were high for the Argentine rookie. However, he has yet to register a single point in his five Grand Prix appearances and now faces an uphill battle to change that at Silverstone.
Colapinto’s performance has reportedly put his seat under scrutiny, with rumors suggesting that Alpine is considering a replacement if results don’t improve. Former F1 boss Flavio Briatore, recently re-involved in Alpine’s management structure, is believed to be eyeing a lineup shake-up. Valtteri Bottas has been linked with a potential return to a works team, with many insiders speculating he could replace Colapinto if the situation deteriorates further.
Originally slated to fill in for five races, Colapinto is now making his sixth straight appearance, which adds to the speculation that his position is far from secure. Alpine’s patience may be wearing thin as the team continues to struggle for points and consistency in the midfield.
Nonetheless, the unpredictable British weather could play into Colapinto’s hands. With a high chance of rain during the race, the tricky conditions might offer him an opportunity to climb up the order and score his first career points. For now, though, he must regroup from a demoralizing qualifying, face a pit-lane start, and hope that a chaotic race can salvage what has otherwise been another tough weekend in Formula 1.
