Franco Colapinto’s manager has put her faith behind Williams to secure the Argentine a drive on the 2025 Formula 1 grid, saying the Grove-based team “want the best for him.”
Colapinto has made waves since his mid-season introduction to the F1 circus.
After diminishing returns from Logan Sargeant, Williams promoted Colapinto to an F1 seat from the Italian Grand Prix, giving him nine rounds to show what he’s capable of.
Colapinto has impressed so far, scoring five points across six races, but with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon locked into Williams long-term from 2025, the Argentine’s options on next year’s F1 grid are slim.
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With Sauber recently confirming Gabriel Bortoleto will partner Nico Hulkenberg next year, the only possibility Colapinto has of joining in on the action is a seat within the Red Bull/RB setup.
“What is certain is that right now we are with Williams and we are still with Williams,” Colapinto’s manager Maria Catarineu of Bullet Sports Management said on Argentinean television station Campeones TV.
It’s no secret as you have seen, that there is a very big will for Franco to continue in F1 in 2025.
“It’s a subject that is no secret and we are working on it obviously. I want to deny the rumours that there is something signed for next year. We are currently still with Williams at the moment.
“I want to say that Williams is the first one who is looking for the best option for Franco. It’s a great team and we feel like a family.
“Williams are the first ones to know that Franco deserves to stay in F1 and they are trying to make it happen. But nothing has been signed and I can’t confirm anything.”
Williams ‘actively working with teams’ to find Colapinto F1 seat
If Williams fails to make a deal with a rival F1 outfit, Colapinto will be retained as a Reserve Driver and the team will potentially look to gain him further experience across other series.
Christian Horner was pictured meeting with Williams boss James Vowles in Sao Paulo, as talks ramp up of a possible deal to bring Colapinto to Red Bull or RB.
Vowles remained coy on the subject when asked about it in Brazil, saying “The best I can really tell you is we’re actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well and protects all parties.
“It’s never straightforward between Formula 1 teams because you’re fighting on track and you’re trying to find a solution for a career of a young man.
“And hopefully we’ll have some great news to be able to talk to everyone about, but [right now] that isn’t available.”
Multiple parties pushing for Colapinto to remain in F1
Catarineu confirmed that it’s up to Williams to make negotiates and the stage that they are at public, but reiterated there’s a strong push to keep Colapinto on the F1 grid.
“It is clear that many scenarios are being worked out,” she said.
“But what people need to know is that there is a strong desire on many sides for Franco to continue in F1 in 2025.
“I think the public wants it, F1 itself wants it and Williams wants it too because they want the best for him.
“In the end, it’s the teams that talk to each other. It’s very common in F1.
“James Vowles is just trying to help Franco. Franco is a Williams driver. He is trying to get Franco in the best possible place and in the best possible position for him.”
Red Bull is still yet to decide how its four F1 seats will be handed out in 2025.
As it stands, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are under multi-year deals at Red Bull, but the latter’s future is the source of constant speculation.
Yuki Tsunoda’s seat is confirmed at RB and Liam Lawson is fighting for a place within either set-up.
Colapinto’s future rests on whether Red Bull decides to part with either Perez or Lawson, but Catarineu is confident Colapinto will find a place on the grid next year.
“I think when so many people put so much intention into making something happen, it would be fair that it ends up happening.”
However, if a deal with Red Bull fails to materialise, there’s a shock twist on the cars with Alpine reportedly registering interest in Colapinto, despite having Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan signed for 2025.
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