Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has confirmed the team’s interest in Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine who has been making waves at Williams. Since his debut in September with the British racing team, he has proven himself on multiple occasions. With the arrival of Carlos Sainz next year, he will once again be relegated to the reserve bench. However, if Sergio Pérez is definitively ousted next year, opportunities may arise at Visa RB.
“Franco Colapinto is an interesting driver,” Christian Horner recently told German publication Auto, Motor und Sport. “I think he has surprised everyone – he is much better than his Formula 2 performance suggested.” Colapinto started this season in Formula 2 with MP Motorsport, but was called up to replace Williams driver Logan Sargeant ahead of the Italian GP. “I would be a poor team boss if I didn’t investigate whether he is available,” Horner concluded cryptically.
‘Want him fully or not at all’
It is widely known that Sergio Pérez is under immense pressure; there is a high chance he will be dismissed next year in favor of Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson. In that case, a spot would automatically open up at Visa RB, which many still consider to be Red Bull’s training team. Besides the Austrians, Alpine, urged by advisor Flavio Briatore, has also shown interest in Franco Colapinto.
The Williams team boss has previously pledged that he would like to loan Colapinto to another team. He has been lobbying Sauber, the last team with a seat available for 2025, for some time. For Vowles, it is important that the 21-year-old Argentine remains connected to Williams. The young driver would essentially be ‘rented out’ to the competition until a spot opens up at Williams. However, Helmut Marko explains that Red Bull does not want to participate in this: “We want Colapinto fully or not at all,” he responded.
