F1 driver's future plunged into doubt on the eve of Dutch GP

A Formula 1 driver's future in the sport has been thrown into major doubt ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Following a four-week-long summer break, the 2025 F1 season resumes this weekend at Circuit Zandvoort.

Heading into the weekend, all eyes will be on the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris as their championship battle ramps up.

As things stand, Piastri holds a nine-point lead over Norris at round 15 of 24.

Recently, F1's new team, Cadillac, announced their driver line-up ahead of entering the field for the 2026 season.

Veteran drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will pair up during the American team's debut season.

However, ahead of this weekend's race, one driver's future has been called into question.

Back in May, Argentine star Franco Colapinto was drafted in by Alpine to replace Jack Doohan after the Miami Grand Prix.

Since then, the 22-year-old has largely struggled; he is yet to score this season and sits 20 points behind teammate Pierre Gasly.

Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Alpine's de facto team principal, Flavio Briatore, expressed his disappointment in Colapinto's performances.

Franco Colapinto faces an uncertain future in Formula 1. Image: Getty

The Italian said: "I've seen everything already, so I don't think I need to see anything more. I think for this driver, it is very difficult to cope with this car as they are very, very heavy and very, very quick for a young driver in Formula 1.

"Maybe it was not the [right] timing to have Franco in Formula 1, and maybe he needs another year to be part of F1."

Briatore continued: "I'm not happy with the result; this is what is important, and he tries very hard, we try very hard with the engineering [team], but it is not what I expected from Colapinto.

"We changed Doohan with Colapinto, and maybe Colapinto had the same problem - too much pressure to be in F1. Last year, he had two or three good races, but maybe to be in the team with a good driver like Pierre, and always to be in competition with him, maybe we put too much pressure on him."

Under the current rules, Alpine can make one more driver change in 2025, and Colapinto could be looking over his shoulders very soon.