It feels like an eternity since Red Bull Racing had true stability in its Formula 1 driver lineup. Over the past few days, reports have emerged suggesting that Yuki Tsunoda could replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing. Amid this speculation, a new name has surfaced—Franco Colapinto.
According to new reports, Colapinto is being considered for a VCARB seat, adding another layer of intrigue to Red Bull’s potential F1 driver switch.
Red Bull’s Long-Term Interest in Franco Colapinto
Although Red Bull ultimately promoted Liam Lawson last season, he wasn’t the only driver on their radar. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Yuki Tsunoda who was the main alternative but rather Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine talent.
Colapinto made headlines after an impressive Williams debut, scoring points in Baku in just his second-ever Grand Prix. His performance caught the attention of Red Bull Racing, and Christian Horner later confirmed that preliminary talks had been held with Colapinto in early 2024.
However, a series of costly mistakes in subsequent races led Red Bull to pull back, with Alpine F1 emerging as the most interested party in securing the young driver.
Now, as reports swirl regarding Tsunoda’s potential promotion, Colapinto is once again linked to a Red Bull seat at VCARB.
Will Colapinto Replace Lawson at VCARB?
According to es.motorsport.com, Red Bull is considering placing Colapinto at VCARB, potentially opening the door for Yuki Tsunoda to step up to the main Red Bull team.
This scenario would likely result in Liam Lawson being sidelined, reminiscent of past Red Bull demotions involving Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat—drivers whose careers were significantly affected after being dropped.
Red Bull has always maintained a ruthless approach to driver development, and given Lawson’s struggles in the 2025 F1 season, a change wouldn’t be out of character for the Milton Keynes-based team.
Why VCARB Could Be the Perfect Fit for Colapinto
Beyond the Red Bull Racing driver speculation, there is another key factor at play—Alpine’s unusual driver dynamics.
Before Lawson’s difficult start to 2025, many speculated that Jack Doohan was at risk of losing his Alpine F1 seat. However, despite his crash in Australia, Doohan has performed well, closely matching Pierre Gasly’s pace in the A525.
This presents Alpine with a dilemma:
- They signed Franco Colapinto to a multi-year deal, with the intention of eventually giving him a full-time F1 seat.
- However, Jack Doohan is exceeding expectations, making it harder to justify replacing him.
This is where VCARB could provide a convenient solution. Alpine could theoretically loan Colapinto to Red Bull’s junior team, allowing them to evaluate all three drivers before making a decision for the 2026 F1 season.
What’s Next for Red Bull’s F1 Driver Lineup?
It remains to be seen whether Franco Colapinto’s move to VCARB will materialize, but Red Bull is clearly exploring multiple options ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
With Liam Lawson struggling, Yuki Tsunoda impressing, and Alpine weighing its own driver choices, all eyes are on Red Bull’s next move.
Stay tuned for more F1 driver transfer news, Red Bull Racing updates, and the latest from the 2025 Formula 1 season.
