Karun Chandhok shares ‘the only way’ RB can sign Franco Colapinto from Williams

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Williams Racing driver Franco Colapinto is fighting for his Formula 1 future just five race weekends after making his debut.

Typically if that’s the case, it’s because a driver is underperforming but Franco Colapinto’s situation is the complete opposite.

Colapinto was parachuted into the Williams line-up in place of the underperforming Logan Sargeant.

At the time, the Argentinian knew he was only going to race for Williams until the end of the season, with Sargeant’s permanent replacement already signed for 2025.

Carlos Sainz will join Alex Albon at Williams next year although he’s unlikely to be matching the pole position he achieved at the Mexico City Grand Prix once he joins the Grove-based team.

However, there’s now a serious clamour from the F1 community – particularly the growing number of fans of the sport in Argentina – to find Colapinto a seat on the grid next season.

That’s going to be easier said than done with just two vacant places left in 2025 at RB and Sauber.

RB have shown an interest in hiring Colapinto with Sergio Perez under serious pressure and both of their current drivers in the running to replace him.

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Helmut Marko has said Tsunoda is a candidate for a Red Bull promotion but since his return to the grid in Austin, Liam Lawson has impressed Christian Horner with his performances.

Former driver Karun Chandhok was speaking on Sky Sports F1 about Colapinto’s future.

He admitted that although Colapinto’s performances have been tremendous, he struggles to see Williams and RB securing a deal for the Argentinian.

Karun Chandhok on the ‘only way’ he can see Franco Colapinto joining RB

Asked about the rumoured plan of RB being interested in Colapointo, Chandhok said: “Well he wouldn’t have to walk very far [in the paddock], they’re about six steps across to the other car.

“Listen, he’s done a great job, you have to say! He’s come into it and proved that he probably deserves to stay and deserves a seat.

“It’s a shame, there isn’t a seat for him here at Williams.

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“I think the team are quite keen to help him stay in F1, but they’ll want to keep him on a bungee cord, they wouldn’t just want to let him go because otherwise, Williams have basically invested in training him up, developing him, for someone else to get the benefit.

“So, the only way would if Williams could have him sort of on a lease, but then if you’re RB, are you keen on that?

“Red Bull have historically not been keen on just borrowing a driver, they want to own that contract.

“I don’t think it’s a simple process to get him a seat but maybe at Sauber.”

The ‘almost impossible’ task Franco Colapinto has completed in Formula 1

Colapinto’s debut at the Italian Grand Prix was the first time an Argentinian had raced in F1 since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001.

Argentina has a rich racing pedigree but opportunities for their drivers have been few and far between.

Sergio Perez’s father believes Colapinto has achieved something ‘almost impossible’ by reaching F1 from South America.

His son is facing a very uncertain future, although Perez’s Sr. still thinks his son can be an F1 world champion.

That looks incredibly unlikely right now and it would be a frustration for the entire region if Perez ended up losing his seat to Colapinto rather than both drivers being on the grid next season.

They may at least be boosted by Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto if he ends up securing Sauber’s second seat.