Franco Colapinto has performed admirably during his brief stint in Formula 1 since making his debut for Williams at the Italian Grand Prix. The Argentinian driver has slotted into the Williams team seamlessly since replacing Logan Sargeant, looking at home in the midfield and being decisive in wheel-to-wheel combat. Colapinto scored his first points in Azerbaijan on a demanding street circuit.
That race was particularly impressive as he drove to eighth place after recovering from a crash in practice. He had a slightly more difficult weekend last time out at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing in 12th place and making contact with Visa Cash App RB’s Liam Lawson. Despite his very impressive performances in Formula 1, Colapinto also doesn’t have a drive in the championship for next season.
He may be a candidate for Sauber if Williams release their academy driver, but Colapinto doesn’t have much confidence that he will return to F1 in 2025. Williams will be lining up with Alex Albon and Ferrari exile Carlos Sainz next season, although Juan Pablo Montoya explained to AS Colombia that the team should still keep Colapinto. Juan Pablo Montoya expects the Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz partnership at Williams ‘will not survive a year’Photo by: Mapu H.
/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesWilliams did well to recruit Sainz for next season after the Spaniard was dropped by Ferrari to allow for the incoming Lewis Hamilton. Sainz and Albon represent a very experienced line-up heading into next year and a pairing with much more experience at the front than other midfield teams. READ MORE: F1 fans left incensed by ‘blunder’ that impacted Franco Colapinto’s race at the Mexico City Grand PrixThe British team will be looking to keep up their good form, having consistently been in and around the top 10 at a variety of tracks this year.
But Montoya explained that he isn’t expecting Albon and Sainz to be teammates for very long, so Williams should keep Colapinto under the team’s control. He said: “The funny thing, let’s be realistic, Albon is still faster than Colapinto. Albon has made more mistakes than Colapinto, so Colapinto looks much better than Albon.
“Realistically, in terms of speed and everything, Colapinto is very close. But it’s putting Albon into an uncomfortable position when I tell you that being Williams, I wouldn’t let Colapinto leave because with Carlos coming, one of them won’t survive a year. ”Franco Colapinto may still have chances to race in Formula 1 next seasonColapinto won’t have any opportunities to race at Williams next season but there are other teams who may have drives available.
Sauber are floundering at the back of the field as Audi looks for Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate at the Swiss team for next season. RB may also have a vacancy alongside Yuki Tsunoda if Lawson moves up to Red Bull as Sergio Perez continues to underdeliver. If Colapinto doesn’t get a seat for 2025, his momentum may stall as there are a lot of other young drivers looking to move up to F1.