Franco Colapinto has now entered ‘tentative’ talks with Williams rivals over 2025 F1 seat

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Williams driver Franco Colapinto heads to the Mexico City Grand Prix knowing he’s under the microscope during each session for the final five races of the year.

Unlike other drivers on the grid, Franco Colapinto is the only person who took his current position knowing it wouldn’t be an option for next year.

Williams had already secured Alex Albon’s future and signed Carlos Sainz for 2025 before Colapinto was parachuted in to replace Logan Sargeant.

What was meant to be a nine-race stint where the Argentinian was supposed to support Williams in the Constructors’ Championship has turned into one of the most impressive cameos in recent memory in F1.

He’s done more than Nyck de Vries during his single race with Williams that earned him an AlphaTauri seat last year and arguably maintained a higher level than Liam Lawson’s debut five races when he temporarily replaced Daniel Ricciardo.

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This has created a clamour for Colapinto to be found a seat on the grid for 2025 but his options are incredibly limited.

However, a report from journalist Edd Straw on The Race’s YouTube channel suggests his chances of earning a full-time position on the grid next year may be increasing.

Straw believes that ‘tentative’ contact has now been made between Red Bull and Colapinto’s entourage.

Three drivers are vying for three seats between the Red Bull and RB teams, but Colapinto’s availability has suddenly added an extra dimension to the battle.

Red Bull make ‘tentative’ contact with Franco Colapinto over 2025 race seat

Talking about the current situation at Red Bull, Straw said: “Heading into his home Grand Prix, Perez is under enormous pressure and indications in Austin were that he’s unlikely to get Red Bull’s latest package for the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, although he was not certain.

“Not having the upgrade will be particularly problematic in the high-speed corners and under braking.

“It’s clear that Perez couldn’t have matched Verstappen in Austin given the spec difference but Red Bull still wants to see more from him.

“That means his position is precarious. Perez could still be at Red Bull next year, or maybe out of F1 altogether.

“Tsunoda has a long shot at promotion but will likely be at RB, while Lawson has made a strong start to his push for promotion.

“And if Lawson is promoted, what happens with the vacant RB seat? Isack Hadjar, currently second in F2, is the obvious next cab off the rank of Red Bull but it’s understood that there has been tentative preliminary contact with Williams driver Franco Colapinto in case it wants to bring him into the fold.”

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What Red Bull think of Franco Colapinto after his Formula 1 debut with Williams

Just a few months ago, Colapinto would have a long way down Red Bull’s list of potential drivers for 2025.

When he earned his promotion from Formula 2 to F1, he was seventh in the championship, and a long way behind Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar.

However, Colapinto, Oliver Bearman and even the likes of Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan have proved that the F2 standings have to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Helmut Marko has already shared his praise for Colapinto and is a big advocate for the RB team being used as a junior testing program to eventually benefit Red Bull.
Marko has reportedly made noises about signing Colapinto but this is the first suggestion that there has now been contact between the two parties.