Five rounds into his F1 debut, Franco Colapinto continues to prove himself. Could he see himself secure a seat for the 2025 season?
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Williams announced that they had signed Argentine Franco Colapinto as a mid-season replacement for struggling Logan Sargeant.
Many doubted the decision, while some argued that it was a reasonable choice to let go of the American. An argument was whether Colapinto was the right person for the role, especially considering his lack of experience. Many felt that perhaps Mick Schumacher would have been a better choice. This move was more expected due to the Mercedes team vouching for their reserve driver to return to the grid.
Strong debut and commendable consistency
Colapinto, who had been competing in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship jumped into the Williams seat for the weekend in Monza and instantly turned heads. Despite the short notice, the young Argentine impressed on his debut.
Starting the race from P18, the rookie drove his way up to P12. He finished just three places behind his teammate Alex Albon who finished where he started his Monza race.
Colapinto’s next two outings in F1 were a proper litmus test. The Argentine had to race at the ever-so-difficult Baku and Singapore tracks. But just as he had shown great potential back in Italy, the Williams driver held his own on the street circuits.
He managed an impressive P9 in Baku’s qualifying, where he started the race in P8 after Lewis Hamilton’s pit lane start penalty. Franco Colapinto crossed the finish line at the Land of Fire in P8, earning his first points at just his second Grand Prix. In Singapore, he started in P12 and finished just outside the points in P11.
Colapinto’s fourth race was at America’s most beloved circuit, the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The Argentine slotted his Williams into P9 for the Sprint race which he finished P12. For the main race in Austin, he qualified 17th. He started in P15 after penalties were applied across the grid. Colapinto crossed the line in P10, outperforming Albon, and marking another points finish.
Competition for Albon
In just four rounds, Colapinto has managed 5 points in a Williams. It is an impressive feat. Especially given the fact that he was abruptly put into the seat after choosing to commit to F2 for the 2024 season.
He is also Alex Albon’s first competitive teammate at Williams. Colapino, despite his lack of experience, has proven that he is not a pushover driver or one far off the mark. Colapinto’s performances in Williams this season may well expose Albon’s weaknesses.
Also proving not to be a one-off driver, he has consistently performed well. His wheel-to-wheel racing has been commendable, as has his mentality and approach to his surprise debut in Formula 1.
As it stands, Franco Colapinto is P18 in the Drivers’ Championship standings. With his consistency, the 21-year-old could shoot his way up to above P15. Colapinto’s points finishes have helped Williams in their battle with Alpine. Williams are now in P8, 4 points above the French team.
In the fight for a slot in 2025
After just his first round, the Argentine had already been put into conversations regarding the 2025 F1 grid. And heading into his fifth Grand Prix this weekend in Mexico, Colapinto has truly emerged as a contender for an F1 seat in the 2025 season.
Oliver (Ollie) Bearman, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan have gotten promotions from F2 to the 2025 F1 grid. This followed a shocking move from Lewis Hamilton. Earlier in the year Hamilton announced that he would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025.
Silly season was not expected to actually be ‘silly’ up until Hamilton’s announcement came in. The news disrupted the grid, and now, there are multiple careers at risk. Daniel Ricciardo and Logan Sargeant have already lost out. Both drivers being replaced by their respective teams – RB and Williams – in the middle of the season. Sergio Perez has many doubting his future in Formula 1. Sauber meanwhile have been unable to provide a suitable car for Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou to prove themselves worthy of retention.
Sauber/Audi and Red Bull talks
Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto’s shocking entries this season coupled with impressive performances have put others more at risk, as now more names are being thrown into the mix for the 2025 grid.
Lawson is in conversations for both the RB and Red Bull seat, whilst Colapinto is allegedly in talks with Sauber/Audi. Colapinto has apparently also attracted the attention of the Red Bull camp. This further complicates matters for Perez who already has Tsunoda and Lawson eyeing his seat.
For 2025, Ferrari, Mercedes, Alpine, Haas, Aston Martin and Williams have finalised their lineups. Red Bull have too, however, conversations surrounding the second Red Bull seat and both RB seats prove that the situation at the Milton Keynes-based team is still slippery.
“He [Franco Colapinto] has been surprisingly impressive and has good race craft. Many teams will be looking at him but the problem at the moment is that there are no seats available.
What is important is that he keeps his hunger. He has the whole of Argentina behind him which is massive.
“Not only does he bring great talent but potential sponsors as well. He has become a hot property but one with nowhere to go. The only seat is Sauber.” – former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve speaking to CanadaCasino.ca ahead of the Mexican GP.
Whether Colapinto will be able to secure an F1 seat for 2025 or will have to wait for 2026 is a tale yet to be told. What is certain though is that the Argentine is to be taken seriously, and will be on the grid permanently with time.
