La Derecha Diario Formula 1: The reason why Colapinto could be promoted without scoring points
The Argentine driver hasn't scored any points in F1 yet, but a P12 at Red Bull Ring could allow him to surpass Bortoleto by regulation, without needing to finish in the Top 10
Franco Colapinto will make his fifth appearance as an Alpine driver next weekend in the Formula 1 season. It will be at the iconic Red Bull Ring, the venue of the Austrian Grand Prix, where the Argentine will have a great opportunity to make a leap in the drivers' championship, even without needing to finish among the top ten.
Although Alpine expects Colapinto to start scoring points in the Constructors' Championship, the Argentine could move up in the individual standings by simply achieving a P12 on Sunday. Why? The F1 regulations state that, in the event of a tie in points, even if both have zero, the driver with the best individual result is ranked higher.
Colapinto, Bortoleto, and Doohan are the only ones who haven't scored any points in 2025. The Brazilian finished twelfth in Spain, while the native of Pilar achieved his best position with a P13 in Monaco and Canada. Thus, if the Alpine driver secures a P12 in Austria and Bortoleto doesn't improve on that position, he will surpass him in the standings by having the second-best result.
With points now at stake, the first target to reach is Liam Lawson, who has 4 points. To match him, Colapinto would need at least an eighth place next weekend. However, the New Zealander would remain ahead thanks to his P11 in Spain, which benefits him in the event of a tie.
Austria could represent a symbolic turning point for the Argentine, who continues to gain experience in the top category and is beginning to emerge as a solid option within the team, despite his trial period ending in this fifth race.
Drivers' Standings after Canada
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 198 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) - 176 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 155 points
- George Russell (Mercedes) - 136 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 104 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 79 points
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 63 points
- Alex Albon (Williams) - 42 points
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 22 points
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 21 points
- Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) - 20 points
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 14 points
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 13 points
- PIERRE GASLY (Alpine) - 11 points
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) - 10 points
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 8 points
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 6 points
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 4 points
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) - 0 points
- FRANCO COLAPINTO (Alpine) - 0 points
- JACK DOOHAN (Alpine) - 0 points
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