Franco Colapinto is emerging as a potential surprise candidate for a seat in Formula 1 for the 2025 season. Tom Coronel, a Dutch racing driver, has stated that while Sauber is the only non-Red Bull team with an available race seat, their focus seems to be on either retaining Valtteri Bottas or considering Mick Schumacher as a replacement. This situation leaves Colapinto’s immediate prospects uncertain, as it was previously assumed he would take on a reserve role at Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant during the final nine races of the 2024 season.
Colapinto has made a significant impact in his limited appearances with Williams, scoring points in two out of four races and totaling five points, far surpassing Sargeant’s single point over 36 races. Unfortunately for him, his debut came too late for Williams to consider him for a permanent driver position, as they had already signed Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon. Initially, this seemed to indicate that Colapinto would be left on the sidelines in 2025, but recent developments suggest that new opportunities may be on the horizon.
Coronel revealed that a member of Colapinto’s management team, likely Jamie Campbell-Walter, contacted him to ask for the phone number of an unnamed team principal. This contact hints at potential opportunities for Colapinto beyond Sauber, which Coronel explicitly ruled out. Although there are no confirmed plans yet, Coronel’s comments indicate a glimmer of hope for Colapinto as he navigates the competitive world of Formula 1.
As the 2025 F1 driver lineup begins to take shape, speculation grows around the Red Bull teams, which also have open seats. If Liam Lawson performs well during his six-race audition for Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull, it could lead to a position opening for Colapinto to join VCARB. Such a development would mark a significant opportunity for him and highlight the ongoing reshuffling of driver placements within the sport.
Marko, a key figure at Red Bull, has praised Colapinto’s recent performances, noting his impressive showings in races like those in Baku and Singapore. While he acknowledges Colapinto’s relative inexperience in the junior series, Marko remains optimistic about the young driver’s potential and sees a promising future for him in Formula 1. With teams currently evaluating their driver lineups, Colapinto may soon find himself in a position to seize new opportunities and demonstrate his value in the sport.