Franco Colapinto’s chances of landing a Formula 1 seat in 2025 look to be all but over after recent races.
The Argentine was drafted in for Logan Sargeant from the Italian Grand Prix onwards at Williams, but did so knowing that he would not have a seat with the team in 2025, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz locked in for next season.
Colapinto initially impressed with some solid first few races, including scoring points in Baku and Austin. But perhaps as expected from a rookie, the 21-year-old has seen some struggles in the last three races.
Colapinto crashed heavily in qualifying and the race in Sao Paulo, before crashing again in qualifying in Las Vegas, costing Williams millions in damages. The Argentine’s Qatar Grand Prix was over at the first corner as he was taken out in a collision with Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon.
The 21-year-old had been attracting interest with Red Bull, who have the last remaining seat available for 2025 with their junior team Visa Cash App RB. However, RB now have no interest in signing Colapinto after his recent performances.
Red Bull say Colapinto has had too many expensive crashes to race with the team in 2025, with it looking likely that the Argentine has lost his chance to stay in F1 next season.
Franco Colapinto wouldn’t do ‘any harm’ copying Esteban Ocon by becoming a reserve driver
With a seat in 2025 looking unlikely, Colapinto is now faced with the prospect of having a spell on the sidelines.
Williams team principal James Vowles spoke with Auto Motor und Sport about the idea of the Argentine becoming the team’s reserve driver next season behind Albon and Sainz.
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Colapinto would be following in the footsteps of Esteban Ocon, who worked alongside Vowles at Mercedes. After the Frenchman – who has grabbed four podiums in his F1 career so far – was let go by Racing Point in 2018, he became the Silver Arrows’ reserve driver before returning to a full-time seat with Renault in 2020.
Vowles says that Colapinto would not do ‘any harm’ by doing the same as Ocon, as the 28-year-old found his way back onto the grid within a year.
Speaking about the prospect of Colapinto’s being Williams’ reserve driver in 2025, Vowles said: “Firstly, we would have the best reserve driver in the field. Secondly, he would get the best possible training with us, with TPC tests and simulator drives. I’ve already done this before with Ocon. A year’s break didn’t do him any harm either.”
Could Franco Colapinto make a return to F1 in 2026?
Being a reserve driver for Williams next season would keep Colapinto sharp with F1 machinery, and he may be given the chance to race in place of Albon or Sainz if either driver misses a Grand Prix in 2025,
But with both Williams drivers tied down to long-term contracts, the Argentine’s future in F1 will likely be away from the Grove-based team, and there could be some options available to him in 2026.
Alpine has expressed their interest in Colapinto and there could be a seat available after next season if Jack Doohan fails to perform.
There is every chance that Red Bull could reignite their interest in the 21-year-old later down the line, while new team Cadillac would also be an exciting opportunity as the American brand searches for their two drivers for when they enter the sport in 2026.
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