Formula 1 continues to be a place where emerging talent and established rivalries converge, and in recent weeks, the names of Max Verstappen and Franco Colapinto have captured the attention of the motorsport world. Verstappen, the four-time world champion from Red Bull, has once again demonstrated why he is a dominant figure in the series, while Colapinto, the young Argentinian driver from Alpine, continues to impress with his audacity and speed in his first full season in the championship.
During the Imola Grand Prix, Colapinto had a highly talked-about moment. In the second free practice session, the Argentine activated the DRS (drag reduction system) in an unconventional maneuver with a full tank, overtaking Verstappen on the track. The Dutchman, visibly surprised, commented over the radio to his engineer: “What’s this guy doing? Using his DRS!” His engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, responded simply with a “No idea.” This exchange, captured by the official broadcast, quickly went viral on social media, where Argentine fans fervently defended Colapinto’s competitive attitude.
This wasn’t the only encounter between the two. In Monaco, Verstappen, frustrated by traffic on the street circuit, made a wry gesture toward Colapinto, giving a thumbs-up and applauding after the Argentinian hampered him on a fast lap. Although the gesture was taken humorously by some, it reflected the intensity of the competition on a circuit where every thousandth of a second counts.
Far from being just a rookie, Colapinto has demonstrated a talent that even Verstappen has acknowledged. At a press conference in Brazil, the Dutchman praised the Argentine, stating: “He deserves a place in Formula 1 with what he’s already shown.” These words came at a time of speculation about Colapinto’s future, who, after shining with Williams in 2024, has joined Alpine for 2025. Verstappen also defended Colapinto after his crash in Las Vegas, criticizing the “experts” who questioned the difficulty of driving in F1: “They should keep their mouths shut. Everything you do at the limit is not easy.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Piquet, Verstappen’s partner, has been in the media spotlight, not for her comments about Colapinto, but for the announcement of her pregnancy with the Dutch driver. The news, shared before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, generated a stir on social media, with speculation about a possible retirement for Verstappen, who has hinted that he could leave F1 after his fourth title.
The dynamic between Verstappen and Colapinto reflects the contrast between experience and youth in Formula 1. While the Dutchman defends his legacy, the Argentine is forging ahead with determination, promising more moments of tension and spectacle in the 2025 season.