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‘I want to categorically say’… Franco Colapinto’s manager shoots down rumours she’s heard about his future

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Franco Colapinto’s future in Formula 1 is up in the air with doors around him slowly closing for the 2025 season.

The Argentine was given the chance to race in F1 after he was drafted in to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams from the Italian Grand Prix onwards. After being expected to compete in Formula 2 this season, Colapinto has hugely impressed in his brief spell in the pinnacle of motorsport.

The 21-year-old scored points in just his second race as he finished eighth in Baku before scoring points again with 10th at the United States Grand Prix, but he is far from the finished product. Colapinto’s crash in qualifying at the Sao Paulo GP cost Williams millions and he was involved in another heavy shunt during the race in what was a costly weekend for the team.

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

The issue for Colapinto is that Williams have not got a seat for him in 2025, as they will run Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz next season. Thus, it is likely that the Argentine will go back to F2 and hope for an opening in 2026.

But the 21-year-old’s performance have caught the attention of other teams on the grid, with Colapinto previously holding talks over a possible deal at Sauber. Christian Horner confirmed at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix that Red Bull are interested in Colapinto as they assess what to do with their driver line-ups for next season.

Franco Colapinto has ‘nothing signed’ for 2025 amid speculation linking him to other teams

While he had held talks, Gabriel Bortoleto signing a multi-year deal with Sauber to partner Nico Hulkenberg in 2025 have shut down any hopes of Colapinto joining the team in the near future.

Red Bull have reportedly offered Williams £15.5 million to poach Colapinto for next season, but according to the Argentine’s manager, Maria Catarineu, nothing is official yet as the Grove-based outfit continues to work on getting the talent a seat for the 2025 season.

“The conversations about Franco’s future, what is clear is what I can say, I wanted to say several things,” she said via Carburando.

“One is the rumour or what they are saying that there is something signed. I want to categorically say that that is not the case. It is true that right now there is nothing signed.

“What is true is that there is a desire on the part of all the people, that what really matters is that it is Formula 1, including Williams, that Franco can stay in Formula 1.

“And that is what they are working on. It is an issue from Williams and they are working on trying to get Franco to stay in Formula 1 by 2025.”

Franco Colapinto is running out of options for a spot in Formula 1 in 2025

With Sauber now off the table, the only option available for Colapinto in 2025 is with Visa Cash App RB. Red Bull are currently assessing Liam Lawson for the second seat alongside Yuki Tsunoda, with the Kiwi driver scoring points in two of his three races so far this year.

However, Red Bull are considering axing Sergio Perez, potentially as soon as the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the Mexican continues to struggle compared to his teammate Max Verstappen. This would open the door for one of the RB drivers to step up to the main team.

Naturally, this would then create an opening at the junior team, giving Colapinto a chance to keep himself in F1 for 2025. But he will be facing competition, with F2 title contender Isack Hadjar also hopeful for a potential seat.

Red Bull’s situation is a highly complex one and it will be interesting to see what the team decides to do with their drivers. For Colapinto, his immediate F1 future will likely depend on another competitor getting the boot.