It’s no secret that Williams is having to foot a massive bill for their recent crashes on track between Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto.
Williams reportedly faced a seven-figure sum for their crash-ridden weekend at the Brazilian GP, which also saw Albon having to withdraw from the race due to excessive damage.
The Williams factory worked flat-out in the two-week break between Sao Paulo and Las Vegas to salvage what was left and manufacture any replacement parts, with them turning up to the US race with both cars repaired.
It has been a season full of big crashes for the team, which started off in Australia when Albon crashed heavily in practice. Williams was already running low on spare parts after problems they faced pre-season, causing them to withdraw Logan Sargeant to enable Albon to race as their best chance of scoring points.
Further crashes in Zandvoort, Azerbaijan, damage picked up in Singapore and Austin, and a 50G crash for Colapinto in Las Vegas has put a strain on Williams’ finances and could see them take out a loan for the 2025 season according to Ted Kravitz.
Williams could be faced with £20 million loan to fund 2025 upgrades
Along with the crash damage bill, Williams has also slipped to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship following the double podium for Alpine in Brazil.
This enabled the French team to leapfrog all of their rivals and jump to sixth, causing Williams to drop a place and potentially lose out on millions in prize money.
Having effectively consigned to finishing in ninth, it could see Williams forced to take out a significant loan to cover next year’s car upgrades as they bid to add to their 114-win tally in F1.
“James Vowles was talking about how he’s going to have to take a £20 million loan because they [Williams] have to spent so much money and will not finish higher than 9th in the Constructors Championship,” said Kravitz.
“It’s going to be quite tight for Williams next year to have all the money they need to improve, and Vowles saying they will need to take a £20 million or ask the board for around £20 million to fulfil what they want to do for 2025. So while most of the teams are making profits, if you’re finishing down the championship and not getting money in sponsorship, it is a pretty hard time.”
Franco Colapinto spotted in conversation with Alpine
Colapinto has been busy over the Qatar GP weekend, having been seen talking to Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore.
The Argentine must find a drive outside of Williams for next season, as the British team has committed to Albon and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
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Alpine has already signed Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan for 2025, but any move from Colapinto could see him in a race seat if they decide not to go with the latter.
It would be a brutal move for the Australian, who has not yet been able to prove himself while also costing Alpine a lot of money having spent millions on a test programme for Doohan this year.
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