Franco Colapinto’s debut Formula 1 season with Williams saw him explode onto the scene before things came crashing back down to earth with some big errors.
At one stage he was linked to a drive with Red Bull for the 2025 season to partner reigning champion Max Verstappen.
However, a big shunt at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and another at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix did him no favours and left Red Bull no longer interested in Colapinto.
There weren’t any other opportunities for him to land on the grid next year which leaves him searching for an opening in 2026 instead.
Colapinto won’t be able to drive for Williams again any time soon with the team holding two very capable drivers for the next few years.
Carlos Sainz will make them a ‘top team’ said Lando Norris, with the Spaniard set to arrive from Ferrari and bring his front-running expertise with him.
Franco Colapinto labels ‘disaster’ Las Vegas Grand Prix crash worse than Sao Paulo incident
Colapinto’s confidence and speed were apparent from the moment he stepped into the car and it lasted for a few races.
That was until he faced some adversity when he crashed in the wet during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. In his defence, it was his first time in such conditions.
One race later in Vegas, Colapinto slammed into the wall at high speed during qualifying, giving his mechanics even more work to do.
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Speaking in a Williams Christmas-themed YouTube video, he mentioned how Vegas was the moment that he would go back and change if he could.
“I think especially Vegas qualifying,” he said. “I think Brazil because it was my first time on the wets. It was [a] big [crash]. I see it as a little bit less a disaster.
“Well, it was a disaster but like in my head, Vegas was so much bigger thing. I still was going for it and trying to put the car in but it still feels like a much bigger mistake than one of Brazil.”
Which F1 teams could Franco Colapinto join for 2026?
If Colapinto doesn’t want to wait for an opening at Williams (which will be 2027 at the earliest currently) then he will need to take a look at some other options.
The new Cadillac team could have a seat for him but that may be a bit more of a project and could take time for them to become competitive.
The real question is whether any teams are willing to pay to release him from his Williams contract and buy out his services.
READ MORE: Franco Colapinto makes surprising claim about Williams crashes in front of James Vowles
Alpine have a seat available in 2026 currently and could take a look at him, but that relies on Jack Doohan having a poor rookie season.
Maybe Red Bull will come back and take another look at him if one of their new drivers disappoints, forcing them into a change.
