Red Bull could ask Franco Colapinto’s sponsors to do one thing ahead of potential 2025 move

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Williams Racing driver Franco Colapinto could be having a much busier three-week break before the Las Vegas Grand Prix than many of his rivals on the grid.

The majority of drivers in Formula 1 already know what their future holds for 2025 and beyond.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are the latest drivers to learn their fate, with Sauber deciding to hire Gabriel Bortoleto.

Sauber were linked with Colapinto at one point, but he never looked like their top choice despite his impressive start to life in F1.

Franco Colapinto knew he wouldn’t have a seat at Williams when he stepped into Logan Sargeant’s car at the Italian Grand Prix.

At that point, the vast majority of the grid was already set for 2025, meaning the Argentinian’s F1 career was initially going to be short and sweet.

However, Red Bull have shown an interest in Colapinto that could end up giving him an unlikely lifeline.

A report from RacingNews365 has shared more details about what would be needed for a deal between Colapinto and Red Bull to take place.

It’s certainly not straightforward and the Argentinian needs to continue putting in performances stronger than what he showed in Sao Paulo to convince the likes of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko that he’s the correct choice.

Red Bull to ask Franco Colapinto sponsors to contribute to Williams fee

The report suggests that Williams have asked for a £15.4m fee from any team that wants to sign Colapinto.

Four teams were considering offers for Colapinto but that figure may end up being a stumbling block.

Colapinto has brought substantial sponsorship from Argentina after earning an F1 race seat, and the Williams livery in Mexico City and Brazil reflected that with a noticeable yellow addition on the rear of the chassis.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to stats

Red Bull could now ask Colapinto’s Argentinian sponsors to help finance the fee Williams are asking for.

It’s a solution that suits both parties, with Red Bull getting a cheaper deal for a highly promising driver and Colapinto and his Argentinian sponsors getting to stay on the grid.

F1 organisers won’t be too upset if Colapinto manages to secure a seat given the huge increase in support from South America, although Bortoleto’s arrival at Sauber may negate that potential loss of interest.

Sergio Perez’s form holds the key to four drivers’ Formula 1 futures

If Red Bull are adamant about signing Colapinto, then it means Sergio Perez is likely the driver that’s going to make way.

Perez has been underperforming since the Miami Grand Prix with his Red Bull becoming more difficult to drive and unlike teammate Max Verstappen, the Mexican having trouble coming up with a solution to those problems in the car.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Both RB drivers – Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda – are trying to prove that they’re good enough to earn a promotion to Red Bull should Horner want to move the 34-year-old on.

Colapinto then has the chance to slot in at RB or earn an immediate spot next to Verstappen, while F2 championship candidate Isack Hadjar is also waiting to see what happens as he looks to make the final step up in his career.

There are question marks over Hadjar at Red Bull which is why their interest in Colapinto is unlikely to go away.