Rubens Barrichello shares what Franco Colapinto’s ‘perfect’ option is for next season

Follow us on Google Discover

South America has some of the most passionate Formula 1 fans in the world as new Williams Racing driver Franco Colapinto is already discovering.

Franco Colapinto was met with plenty of Argentinian flags in the crowd during his debut at the Italian Grand Prix despite only finding out several days beforehand that he had earned a promotion to F1.

Williams team principal James Vowles wouldn’t have chosen Colapinto due to his likely popularity, but the team have gained a new fanbase over the past month.

Not only that, but Colapinto has outperformed many people’s expectations, having already reached Q3 and scored points for the team.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship

Another driver who will be well aware of the interest from South America is Rubens Barrichello.

Barrichello spent nearly 20 years on the grid and was Michael Schumacher’s right-hand man at Ferrari during his period of dominance at the beginning of the 2000s.

Although he never won his home race in Brazil, he was well aware of just how passionate the support was at Interlagos for him and his fellow countrymen.

Colapinto has been warned he may need security in Brazil given how many fans are likely to travel from neighbouring Argentina.

Barrichello was asked about Colapinto on Carburando’s YouTube channel and they wanted to know what the 11-time race winner would do in his situation next year.

The 21-year-old knows he won’t be driving for Williams next year and with only one realistic seat left on the grid for him at Sauber, it’s hard to see Colapinto on the grid in 2025.

Rubens Barrichello tells Franco Colapinto what his ‘perfect’ situation is for the 2025 season

Barrichello was asked whether staying at Williams as a reserve driver next year or trying to earn a seat at Sauber was the best option and said: “The truth is that I lived for 19 years in Formula 1, the driver knows things that other people will not know.

“So now we have to leave Franco with his agent, they have to try and understand as much as possible [about his options].

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

“My opinion is that it is better to have a seat that’s on the grid.

“Everything in life, time can pass, other people arrive. But, if the seat exists, perfect, if it doesn’t, we are outside doing something to keep up the rhythm.

“Not because physically it he has to maintain rhythm and everything but surely life works out for someone who is humble, works hard and is involved in everything.”

Franco Colapinto has already had incredible impact on F1’s popularity in Argentina

The last time Argentinian F1 fans had a driver to cheer for, they were hoping that Gaston Mazzacane could perform a miracle with backmarkers Minardi and Prost.

He failed to score a point in 21 races but Colapinto has already achieved that feat, albeit Mazzacane’s three top-ten finishes weren’t rewarded the same way that they would be today.

Colapinto’s had an extraordinary impact on television ratings in Argentina already and if he continues to go from strength to strength, then the clamour around him will only continue.

Alex Albon is already being put under pressure by Colapinto and if that continues for the final six races of the season, then they’ve got a great chance of improving their points tally.

They’ve got Haas and RB in their sights although it’s going to be easier said than done to overturn the deficit they currently face.