Villeneuve Calls Colapinto a 'Pay Driver' at Alpine
Jacques Villeneuve has sharply criticized Alpine's decision to extend Franco Colapinto's contract, labeling him a 'pay driver' and arguing that financial backing, rather than on-track performance, secured his 2026 deal. Despite Alpine's public defense of the rookie's merit, Villeneuve's remarks highlight concerns within F1 about the influence of money on driver selections, especially for a struggling team like Alpine, whose commercial ties to Colapinto's sponsors are evident.
Jacques Villeneuve has bluntly dismissed Alpine's justification for extending Franco Colapinto's contract, labeling the rookie as nothing more than a 'pay driver.' Despite Alpine's insistence that Colapinto earned his 2026 deal on merit, Villeneuve argues that financial backing, not on-track performance, is the real reason for the extension, highlighting a perceived return to a pay-driver era in Formula 1.
Why it matters:
Villeneuve's frank assessment cuts through the usual PR rhetoric, exposing a common concern in Formula 1: the influence of money over pure talent in securing coveted seats. For Alpine, a team already struggling with performance, the optics of this deal further complicate its narrative and raise questions about its long-term strategy for competitive success.
The details:
- Alpine announced Colapinto's contract extension alongside Pierre Gasly before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, a decision that surprised many given Colapinto's inconsistent form since replacing Jack Doohan.
- Team Justification: Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen and executive advisor Flavio Briatore have publicly defended the decision.
- Briatore attributed Colapinto's initial struggles to the "not so performant car" and the immense pressure young drivers face.
- He also noted Colapinto's improved commitment to engineering and his efforts to better understand the car, claiming he's a "different person" now.
- Villeneuve's Stance: The 1997 world champion, Jacques Villeneuve, speaking to BetVictor Casino, directly countered Alpine's narrative.
- He stated, "It's very similar to the era of pay drivers. One driver in the team being a pay driver to finance the team. That's all Colapinto is."
- Villeneuve emphasized that Colapinto's on-track results do not justify the extension, acknowledging "moments of quickness, but it's not constant."
- Sponsor Connections: Colapinto's strong ties to Alpine's commercial backers, including Mercado Libre, Globant, and YPF, are widely seen as the underlying reason for the contract, reinforcing Villeneuve's 'pay driver' argument.
Between the lines:
Villeneuve's comments resonate with many paddock insiders who privately express similar sentiments. While teams often frame driver selections as merit-based, the financial realities of Formula 1 mean that substantial sponsorship can be a decisive factor. Alpine's situation, where the team is underperforming, makes the perceived reliance on a 'pay driver' even more salient, suggesting that commercial considerations might be taking precedence over pure racing prowess in challenging times.
What's next:
The debate surrounding 'pay drivers' is likely to continue as teams navigate the complex financial landscape of F1. For Alpine, the challenge will be to demonstrate that Colapinto's performance can evolve to genuinely justify his seat, or risk further criticism that commercial interests are overshadowing sporting ambition. The team will need to show concrete improvements in both car performance and driver consistency to counter the narrative set by figures like Villeneuve.