In a shocking twist to the 2025 Formula 1 driver market, Williams rookie sensation Franco Colapinto has emerged as a top candidate for a seat at Red Bull Racing. The Argentine driver’s impressive performances since replacing Logan Sargeant have turned heads up and down the paddock, none more so than at the championship-winning Red Bull team.
Colapinto’s Rapid Rise
Thrust into the Williams seat from Formula 2 ahead of September’s Italian Grand Prix, Colapinto has wasted no time proving his F1 credentials. In just five races, the 22-year-old has racked up a stunning 5 points finishes, outperforming experienced teammate Alex Albon and belying his rookie status.
Such has been Colapinto’s impact that Williams are ruing their inability to offer him a 2025 race seat, with Albon already under contract and Carlos Sainz signed to lead the team’s new era. It’s a situation that has left the door ajar for rival teams to swoop in, chief among them Red Bull.
Red Bull’s Driver Dilemma
Red Bull find themselves facing a potential driver dilemma for 2025. While Max Verstappen is locked in long-term, the same cannot be said for teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican has struggled to consistently match Verstappen’s searing pace, leading team boss Christian Horner to publicly criticize his “terrible” 2024 season thus far.
With Perez’s seat under threat and the team’s junior driver pool lacking an obvious heir apparent, Horner has confirmed Red Bull’s interest in Colapinto. Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Horner said:
“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.”
Potential Paths to Red Bull
For Colapinto, a 2025 Red Bull drive could materialize in one of two ways. The most direct route would be if Williams agree to release him from his contract, freeing him up to partner Verstappen in the senior team. However, Williams may be reluctant to lose such a valuable asset without compensation.
Alternatively, Red Bull could look to secure Colapinto on a loan deal, placing him at junior team RB alongside incumbent Yuki Tsunoda. Such an arrangement would allow Colapinto to continue his development within the Red Bull stable, with a view to promotion in 2026 or 2027.
Weighing Up His Options
For his part, Colapinto is keeping an open mind about his future. Speaking in Sao Paulo ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, the rising star said:
“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.”
While a 2025 Red Bull seat would represent a meteoric rise for Colapinto, the man himself remains grounded:
“I thought I was not going to be racing in F1 next year, and that’s still my first view, so I don’t really get too excited about whatever they’re talking around. Let’s see.”
Potential Obstacles
Despite the mutual interest between Colapinto and Red Bull, significant hurdles remain to any 2025 deal. Chief among them is Williams’ desire to retain the talented youngster, especially given their own driver flux with Albon and incoming Sainz.
Red Bull also face competition for one of their current RB seats from their own junior stable. Isack Hadjar, currently second in the F2 championship, is highly rated within the Red Bull setup and could be in line for an F1 promotion should a vacancy arise.
A Waiting Game
Ultimately, Colapinto’s F1 future is unlikely to be resolved until deep into the 2024 season. With a year still to run on his Williams deal and the driver market notoriously fluid, the Argentine knows he must focus on maintaining his stellar on-track form. As he put it:
“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. Now to be here doing these last nine races, it’s very special. So just enjoying it.”
Regardless of where he ends up in 2025, one thing is certain: in Franco Colapinto, F1 has a new star in the making. His is a name we’ll be hearing much more of in the years to come.
