James Vowles now ‘open’ to loaning out Franco Colapinto to one Formula 1 team

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Franco Colapinto has made quite an impression on the Formula 1 paddock since he joined midway through the season at Williams.

The Argentine has been a key mainstay for the team in scoring points in the last two races, having scored points in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Franco Colapinto also impressed former F1 driver Damon Hill with his move at the start of the Singapore GP, in which he overtook three cars into Turn 1 including the Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

Perez would later remark that he was a tough driver to overtake, having spent most of the first half of the race behind the Argentine.

Williams team principal James Vowles discussed how he was taken aback by how relaxed Colapinto was when he first drove for them during FP1 at Silverstone. He believes Audi should be considering employing him alongside Nico Hulkenberg when speaking to AMuS.

James Vowles says Audi should ‘consider’ Franco Colapinto

Sauber has yet to confirm its driver lineup for the 2025 season, but any driver they choose will likely be influenced by Audi before their impending takeover in 2026.

Although Colapinto reportedly has budget constraints that prevent him from being able to join the team in 2025, Vowles said he would be open to loaning him to Audi.

“If I were Audi, I would consider him. We would be open to lending him,” said Vowles.

“If he doesn’t come there, I have the best reserve driver in the field. And we will continue to train him by testing him with old Formula 1 cars and letting him drive in a simulator.”

Rubens Barrichello tells Franco Colapinto the best option for 2025

Former F1 driver Rubens Barrichello outlined whether he thinks staying at Williams as a reserve driver or trying to earn a seat at Sauber is the best option for the Argentine.

The Brazilian claimed that it was better for him to have a seat with a team instead of being in the background when it is likely he could get overlooked.

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McLaren junior driver Gabriele Bortoleto is also in the running for the seat at Sauber/Audi, with the team reportedly looking to put Valterri Bottas on a one-year agreement before switching to Bortoleto.

Colapinto was warned that he might need to take out extra security when he visits this years Brazilian GP in November, owing to the amount of followers from Argentina that are likely to visit.