What’s currently being done to this young driver has become nothing short of a full-blown outrage—an absolutely shameful situation that casts a very poor light on Formula 1 as a whole. Instead of recognizing the extraordinary effort and commitment he brings to the track every single race weekend, certain voices have chosen to tear him down, placing an unfair and disproportionate level of criticism on a 22-year-old who is doing far more than anyone has the right to expect with the machinery he’s given.
People seem to forget how demanding, unforgiving, and brutally competitive this sport is. They overlook the fact that Franco Colapinto is managing to extract performance from a car that, on paper and in practice, should not be capable of delivering the results he’s achieving. Week after week, he pushes a package with obvious limitations to levels that surprise even those inside the paddock. He constantly drives right on the edge—risking everything in every corner, fighting for every meter of track, and refusing to concede defeat even in situations where most drivers would simply settle. That determination, that refusal to back down, is something you simply cannot teach. It’s instinctive. It’s natural talent expressing itself under pressure.
And yet, instead of acknowledging that, some people choose to criticize him. It’s baffling. Rather than appreciating the rare qualities he brings to the team, they focus on imperfections while ignoring the much bigger picture: this is a young driver performing miracles with a car that is nowhere near competitive. Anyone who truly understands motorsport knows how hard it is to consistently overdrive a car without making constant mistakes. The level of concentration and precision required is enormous. The fact that Colapinto does it, and does it repeatedly, makes his effort all the more impressive.
To me—and this is the sentiment Max Verstappen expresses—Franco Colapinto represents one of the most authentic and remarkable raw talents the Alpine system has seen in decades. He’s not merely another promising youngster coming through the ranks; he is a generational talent, someone whose potential is so evident that it stands out even in a grid full of exceptionally skilled drivers. When you watch him race, you can sense something special: an intensity, a clarity, and a natural understanding of the car that only a handful of drivers possess.
Those within the sport who truly grasp how rare such qualities are can see it clearly: Colapinto has everything required to evolve into a major force in motorsport. He has the speed, the instinct, the courage, the adaptability, and, most importantly, the mentality to overcome adversity. And considering his age, this is only the beginning. The growth we are seeing now is just the first chapter of what could become a remarkable career.
People with real insight into racing know exactly what this means. They know that if he’s already performing at this level under difficult conditions, the ceiling for his future is incredibly high. That’s why the statement highlights something bold yet absolutely believable: this young man has the potential to become the greatest driver to emerge from the Americas. Not just good—exceptional. Not just promising—historic.
In short, the criticism aimed at him is not only unfounded but deeply unfair. What Colapinto truly deserves is recognition, support, and admiration for doing what very few could do in his position. He is proving himself every time he steps into the car, and anyone paying real attention can see that his future is extraordinarily bright.