Williams' Franco Colapinto seeks exit to pursue 2025 seat with Red Bull's junior team

Franco Colapinto hopes for 2025 F1 seat amid Red Bull interest.

SAO PAULO – Promising young driver, Franco Colapinto, is hopeful that Williams will release him from his contract at the end of the current season if he receives a chance to join Red Bull's junior team, RB, in 2025.

Colapinto has made a significant impact in his brief Formula 1 career, scoring five points in five races since being brought in from Formula 2 to replace Logan Sargeant at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite his strong performances, Williams cannot offer him a drive for 2025, having extended Alex Albon's contract for two more years and signing Carlos Sainz from Ferrari.

Red Bull has taken notice of Colapinto's potential, with team principal Christian Horner acknowledging the young driver's impressive form. "Colapinto is an interesting driver," Horner told Auto Motor und Sport in Mexico. "He is surprisingly much better for everyone than it was indicated in Formula 2. I would be a bad team boss if I didn't sound out whether he is available."

The Argentine could be a valuable addition to Red Bull's driver lineup, especially with Sergio Perez's future at the team uncertain following a disappointing 2024 season. Liam Lawson, who stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo at RB during the U.S. Grand Prix, is a strong candidate to replace Perez, which could open a seat for Colapinto or Red Bull junior driver Isack Hadjar.

The key issue remains whether Williams will release Colapinto from his contract or agree to a loan deal with Red Bull. Colapinto expressed his thoughts on the matter, saying ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix: "I think if Williams cannot give me a race seat, the normal thing is that they allow me to go somewhere else and find the best opportunity for my future. But I'm not the right person to be asked."

Three-time champion Max Verstappen also weighed in on Colapinto's potential move, stating, "It's complicated to answer that because he's still contracted to Williams. Of course, he's doing a great job. I think also Williams is probably scratching their heads a bit about what to do with Franco. But for me personally, it just shows that teams in general need to be more open to putting young talents in and trusting them."

Colapinto remains focused on his current opportunity with Williams, adding, "I would like to be in Formula 1. I came very late in the year and got an amazing opportunity by Williams, by James [Vowles, team principal]. I got an amazing chance that I was not expecting to get this year. I'm trying to show and achieve that I deserve to sit here. If it's not next year, I hope that it's in '26 or '27. And yeah, I'm not really having much pressure. I'm trying to enjoy the moment and the opportunity."

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Williams and Red Bull to see how the future of this promising young driver unfolds.

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