Williams driver Franco Colapinto has dismissed recent rumours that he could be poised to continue competing in Formula 1 in 2025 with the Red Bull-owned RB team.
Colapinto has excelled since being ushered onto the F1 scene as a mid-season replacement for the dropped Logan Sargeant following the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Argentine has provided an instant equal to experienced team-mate Alex Albon, claiming his maiden points in Baku and then also appearing in the top 10 in Austin.
However, Colapinto’s exploits haven’t served as an audition to retain his current drive into next season as Williams will welcome Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz alongside Albon.
But Williams boss James Vowles has admitted that he would be willing to loan Colapinto out to a rival competitor in 2025 amid vacancies at both RB and also Sauber.
Rumours linking Colapinto with a potential switch to the Red Bull stable gathered momentum last weekend in Mexico as Ske Italia reported a proposal is on the table.
Colapinto, though, has denied that is the case, citing that he anticipates that he will be back on the sidelines next season as he works towards a full-time seat in 2026.
“No, at the moment, I don’t understand much of what they are talking about. I don’t know where it came from,” Colapinto told F1 TV.
“I don’t have any seat for next year, and at the moment, I’m not racing Formula 1. I’m probably going to be racing somewhere else.
“So look, it’s going to be maybe a year that I’m not going to be here, but I hope to be showing that I deserve a seat here enough to come back in ’26 or ’27.
“It is my goal, and it’s why I’m doing what I can race after race.
“That’s why [after qualifying] I was disappointed with the result and just trying to do my best session after session to try and show I deserve to be here.”
Marko reveals stumbling block to Colapinto deal
Vowles has expressed his desire to retain Colapinto’s services long-term, which Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted is the stumbling block in a possible deal.
“The problem with him is that he has a long-term contract with Williams,” Marko revealed to Kleine Zeitung.
“[Taking him on loan] is not interesting for any team. You do not want to train a driver for another team.”
Vowles has reiterated his credence that Colapinto’s smooth adaption to F1 this season has demonstrated that he warrants a place among the 20 drivers on the roster.
Colapinto has ‘earned’ place on F1 grid
“I think in all of these things at the moment, let’s start with the basics,” Vowles began on the post-race F1 show at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“He has earned his place on the grid, and what we want to help with is finding him a place in that regard.
“What it looks like, I can’t tell you at the moment, because A, it’s very sensitive, and B, there’s really not a lot to discuss right now.”
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