Franco Colapinto believes that Williams releasing him would be the “normal thing” to do should a rival team be prepared to hand him a race drive in Formula 1 in 2025.
Colapinto has excelled since replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams in August, taking two points finishes in six appearances and not delivering a result lower than 12th.
However, Colapinto’s impressive showings will not be enough to retain his seat into next season as Williams has signed Carlos Sainz to partner incumbent Alex Albon.
But although he has conceded that he expects to be back on the sidelines again in 2025, Red Bull has indicated that Colapinto is one option that is on the side’s radar.
An opening could materialise at Red Bull’s sister team, RB, in the circumstance where a struggling Sergio Perez is dropped and Liam Lawson is promoted in his place.
The Argentine switching to RB would be dependent on Williams sanctioning a permanent exit, though, as Red Bull has made clear that a loan deal would not be viable.
Asked whether he thinks Williams would be open to that should Red Bull’s interest become concrete, Colapinto said: “Well, I think I shouldn’t be the person asked about that.
“Of course, I don’t know the answer, and I guess yes.
“I think if Williams cannot give me a race seat, I think the normal thing is that they allow me to go somewhere else and that they find the best opportunity for me for the future.
“But I’m not the right person to be asked. I should be the last one, you know.
“I’m here with Williams this weekend and I’m going to try to do my best here in Brazil.
“It’s a very exciting race, great atmosphere, and I cannot wait to be driving the Williams around Interlagos.
“So, look, I think for the future and it will be great that it happens.
“I thought I was not going to be racing in F1 next year, and that’s still my first view, so I don’t get too excited about whatever they’re talking around. But yeah, let’s see.”
Colapinto hopes to earn F1 shot
Colapinto hopes his interim spell with Williams this season will be enough to earn him a place on the grid in 2026 should he be consigned to not competing next term.
“I would like to be in Formula 1,” he stated. “I came very late in the year, and I got an amazing opportunity by Williams, by James [Vowles].
“Everyone in the team gave me a lot of trust, confidence to put me in that race seat. And I got an amazing chance that I was not expecting to get this year.
“I tried to do my best and have the best results possible to show that I deserve to sit here. And that’s what I’m trying to show and to achieve.
“And if it’s not next year, I hope that it’s in ‘26 or ‘27. And yeah, I’m not really having much pressure or anything like that.
“I’m trying to enjoy the moment, enjoy the opportunity that I’ve got. It was my dream since I was very little to drive a Formula 1 car.
“Now to be here doing these last nine races, it’s very special. So just enjoying.”
READ MORE – Franco Colapinto denies reports linking him to RB 2025 F1 seat
Discussion about this post