Franco Colapinto may have just let slip his plans for 2025 after shining at Williams

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Franco Colapinto is racing in Latin America for the first time as a Formula 1 driver at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Home hero Sergio Perez retains the largest fanbase, by some distance, but Colapinto’s popularity is growing by the week.

A healthy contingent of Argentine fans that visited the US Grand Prix last time out – Colapinto celebrated his points finish with them after the race – and even more should visit Mexico in theory. With no Argentine GP on the calendar, Brazil next weekend will be the closest he has to a home race.

The 21-year-old has been outstanding since he replaced Logan Sargeant at the end of August. He’s finished in the top 10 twice in his first four races and immediately put pressure on the far more experienced Alex Albon.

However, his future is uncertain. Williams can’t offer him a seat in 2025 because they’ve already committed to Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Had they truly known what Colapinto was capable of, they may have hesitated before re-signing Albon. They’re trying to place him at another F1 team on loan so he can continue developing elsewhere.

Sauber have a vacancy next to Nico Hulkenberg, but they may not want to sign a driver contracted to a rival. James Vowles will use Colapinto as a reserve if he can’t arrange a deal, which will give him the opportunity to complete a testing programme in a two-year-old car.

Why Franco Colapinto is now targeting a 2026 Formula 1 seat instead

Speaking to Martin Brundle on the F1 Show, Colapinto heavily implied that he won’t be racing in Formula 1 next year. He says there’s ‘no space’ left on the grid.

However, he’s determined to make the most of his opportunity, with five races still to go. That could set up a return for the 2026 or even 2027 season.

Sainz can leave Williams at the end of 2026 under an exit clause in his contract. Guenther Steiner reckons Colapinto is a threat to Albon too.

He’s ‘sure’ that he’ll eventually race in F1 full-time. Drivers like Albon, Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen have previously made comebacks after a season or more away.

“I know that there are no seats left at the moment,” he said. “There is no space for me to go. I’m trying just to show that I deserve a seat in Formula 1 and that I deserve my place here. I came to stay and not only do a couple of races.

“I hope to make an impression. I’m sure I’m going to be back in the future. 26, 27, I’m sure I’m going to be back.”

How Liberty Media feel about Franco Colapinto’s uncertain future with Williams seat blocked

Colapinto achieved something ‘impossible’ by reaching F1, Sergio Perez’s father says. He feels it’s extremely difficult for a Latino driver to make it this far.

Indeed, if Perez loses his Red Bull seat, there could be no representatives from the region in next year’s field, with Colapinto far from optimistic. This is unlikely to please the sport’s commercial rights holders.

Liberty Media want a South American driver on the grid, and Colapinto is a hugely marketable figure. He’s the first F1 driver from Argentina since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001, and could facilitate his country’s return to the calendar if he establishes himself.