Alpine appears to be leading the race to sign Franco Colapinto for the 2025 F1 season, outpacing Red Bull due to their openness to a loan deal with Williams. Colapinto, who made his debut replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams and has already shown strong results, has become a rising talent in F1. His performances, particularly his top-10 finish at the United States Grand Prix, have caught the eye of several teams. Williams is reportedly willing to entertain moves that could allow Colapinto to gain experience elsewhere, provided it benefits his career trajectory.
Red Bull’s interest in Colapinto was further fueled by Christian Horner’s visit to the Williams camp during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Talks between Williams and Red Bull are underway but far from finalized, with discussions about Colapinto potentially joining Red Bull’s junior team, VCARB, or even stepping in as Max Verstappen’s teammate, replacing Sergio Perez. Perez’s future with Red Bull has been uncertain after a challenging season, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko indicating a decision about Perez’s position will be made after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Alpine’s interest in Colapinto seems driven by internal considerations to revise their 2025 driver lineup, despite recently confirming Jack Doohan as Esteban Ocon’s replacement. Reports suggest Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore is keen on bringing Colapinto into the team, which could see Doohan replaced before his F1 debut. Alpine is reportedly open to a loan arrangement with Williams, an approach that might edge them ahead in the competition with Red Bull, who have expressed reluctance about developing drivers for other teams.
In Brazil, Horner praised Colapinto’s performances and compared him to other young talents like Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman, suggesting Red Bull is indeed monitoring him closely. However, Marko’s concerns about Colapinto’s long-term Williams contract complicate Red Bull’s plans. Marko’s skepticism about a loan setup further suggests that Red Bull may struggle to meet Williams’ terms, which reportedly involve a €20 million buyout clause.
Williams team principal James Vowles has underscored Williams’ commitment to finding a deal that benefits Colapinto’s career while respecting the interests of all parties involved. Vowles emphasized that they are exploring options to secure the best possible future for Colapinto, hinting that a decision could come before the final race of the season. The complexity of negotiating between multiple teams and managing Colapinto’s progression suggests that Williams is carefully weighing all options to ensure the most advantageous outcome for the young driver.