Red Bull Rejects Franco Colapinto as Perez Exit Looms After Abu Dhabi
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Sergio Perez's departure from Red Bull appears imminent after the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Franco Colapinto's bid for a seat with Red Bull is also off the table as the team focuses on its junior driver program.
Red Bull Rejects Franco Colapinto as Perez Exit Looms After Abu Dhabi
Sergio Perez looks set to exit the Red Bull Racing team after the 2024 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, and Franco Colapinto's potential replacement bid has come to an end.
Franco Colapinto's Red Bull Bid Comes to an End
After weeks of speculation, Franco Colapinto has been ruled out by Red Bull as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez in 2025. Colapinto, who made a promising start to his Formula 1 career after stepping in to replace the struggling Logan Sargeant at Williams, was considered by Red Bull as a strong candidate for the seat due to his early performances.
However, as the season progressed, Colapinto's inexperience became more evident, with costly mistakes in Brazil and Las Vegas leading to Red Bull cooling its interest in the Argentine driver. This ultimately led to Colapinto being ruled out of contention for a seat with the Red Bull senior team and with VCARB, the team’s sister squad.
Despite some initial hopes for Colapinto to land a seat with Alpine as a potential replacement for Jack Doohan, the 20-year-old's chances of securing a seat with the French team have also significantly dwindled. Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore has cooled on the idea of bringing Colapinto into the team for 2025.
Red Bull Shifts Focus to its Junior Driver Program
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, acknowledged Colapinto’s talent but emphasized the strength and depth of Red Bull’s junior driver program. Speaking after the Qatar Grand Prix, Horner noted, "He, for sure, is a talent that’s looking to earn his permanent place in Formula 1. We have a great pool of talent within the Red Bull junior team, and I’m sure Franco will find his way onto the grid in the future."
Colapinto’s rejection leaves him with limited options for 2025, with Red Bull opting to focus on its junior drivers for the upcoming season. The focus will now shift to potential changes at both Red Bull Racing and VCARB, where the team is expected to promote one of its younger drivers to fill Perez’s seat.
Perez’s Future at Red Bull in Doubt
Sergio Perez’s disappointing performance in 2024 has raised questions about his future with Red Bull Racing. Despite winning races earlier in the season, Perez has failed to contribute significantly to Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championship hopes, with Max Verstappen dominating the points tally. As a result, Red Bull is reportedly considering replacing Perez, with only one seat left for F1 2025.
While Perez is expected to exit the team, there is speculation that he could be offered an ambassadorial role within Red Bull, similar to the one that Daniel Ricciardo holds. His future with the team is likely to be decided after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.
Who Will Replace Perez at Red Bull?
Several drivers are now considered leading contenders to replace Perez at Red Bull Racing. Liam Lawson, who is currently on a six-race audition with VCARB, has impressed with solid performances in recent races. Another possibility is Yuki Tsunoda, who has significantly contributed to AlphaTauri’s points tally this season, making him a potential candidate for promotion to the senior team.
If Lawson or Tsunoda steps up to Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull’s leading driver in Formula 2, could be promoted to VCARB. Hadjar, currently second in the F2 standings, impressed with a podium finish in Qatar and is widely regarded as a future star of the Red Bull program.
Conclusion: Red Bull Faces Key Decisions for 2025
The Red Bull team is facing crucial decisions about its driver line-up for the 2025 season. While Perez’s future at the team seems uncertain, the focus will soon shift to finding his replacement. As for Colapinto, his hopes of securing a seat with Red Bull or Alpine have been dashed, but his talent remains undeniable, and he could still make a return to F1 in the future.
As the season concludes and preparations for the 2025 season intensify, all eyes will be on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Red Bull finalizes its driver line-up for the upcoming campaign.
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