With speculation rife about Franco Colapinto’s future,
Williams boss James Vowles has revealed how long it may take to get a deal
across the line.
Colapinto is at the heart of the puzzle surrounding the
final available seats for F1 2025, with the Argentinian driver proving a
sensation since arriving in the sport as a replacement for Logan Sargeant at
Williams mid-season.
James Vowles: Franco Colapinto earning his place
With no race seat available at Williams for 2025, as the
Grove-based squad has already committed to Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, Red Bull has signaled
interest in bringing Colapinto into the fold – presumably, for the vacant VCARB
seat.
This means negotiating with Williams over releasing
Colapinto entirely for 2025, as he is understood to be under contract with
James Vowles’ team as part of its driver programme, with Helmut Marko revealing
that Red Bull has no interest in securing him on a loan deal.
Vowles was asked about the speculation surrounding Colapinto
in Friday’s press conference in Brazil, with the team boss saying the priority
is to find a solution which works for everyone – including Colapinto.
“The best I can really tell you is we’re actively working
with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps
Franco,” he said, “that protects Franco as well and protects all parties.
“So it’s very much in those lines. It’s the same concept
behind it. It’s never straightforward between Formula 1 teams, because you’re
fighting on track and you’re trying to find a solution for the career of a
young man, but answering the question, he’s earning his place.
“He needs to do more on track to keep earning his place as a
result of things, but he’s shining, and that’s why there’s interest from teams
and our responsibility in that, as I have a responsibility both towards him and
Williams, and hopefully, we’ll have some great news to be able to talk to
everyone about, but today – that isn’t available.”
PlanetF1.com understands from sources close to the situation
that an undisclosed second bidder is eager to secure Colapinto’s services, with
Sauber believed to not be involved in the tug of war – the only other team on
the grid with an unconfirmed seat for next season.
While negotiations with Red Bull continue, it’s not expected
that an outcome will be reached quickly – but Vowles said he’s hopeful of
having something concrete decided before the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“These sorts of things are always hard to do because you’re
talking about multiple teams talking together,” he said, “but it’ll be
something that I’m confident before the last race of the season will have
nailed. But it’s really hard for me to pinpoint where in between those two
timelines.”
James Vowles: Franco Colapinto is an exceptional driver
With two points finishes from his first five races in F1,
Colapinto has scored five points – the far more experienced Alex Albon has
scored 12, with the benefit of far more time behind the wheel in preparation
for the season with the FW46.
Colapinto’s arrival has lit a fire under Albon, and Vowles
said he expects the rookie to only get better and better as he gains
experience.
“There’s more to come from him as well and that’s to be
expected,” he said.
“It would be easy to forget, when you look at the performances in Mexico, in Austin, that he’s only been with us for a handful of races in Formula 1, but he has. And as you’ll know with all of the greats – there’s one, [Oscar] Piastri next door – you keep building across time. You don’t finish your learning in four or five races. And there’s a tremendous [amount] more to come from him.”
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