Franco Colapinto’s F1 Future: Williams Driver Open to Audi Loan Move Amidst Uncertainty
Williams Racing F1 Team Open to Loaning Franco Colapinto to Audi
Williams Racing F1 team boss James Bowles expressed his willingness to work with Audi to ensure Franco Colapinto enters the 2025 season as a regular driver.
Colapinto was selected by Williams for the Italian Grand Prix as a mid-season replacement for Logan Sargent. He has been plucked from his rookie season in Formula 2 and given nine rounds to impress at F1 level.
Colapinto climbed from 18th on the grid to 12th on his F1 debut at Monza and scored points in last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“In two races he has shown the world that he deserves to be in F1,” said the Williams boss. “I have always firmly believed that good drivers should be allowed to race.”
“So we’ll see if we can find a way to work with Audi in that situation. That’s my intention for next year.”
Audi is set to complete its full takeover of Sauber in preparation for its debut on the F1 grid in 2026. So far, Audi/Sauber plans to have Nico Hulkenberg join the team in 2025 to fill the only remaining seat.
Bowles: Colapinto ‘will always be part of Williams’ despite Audi ties
Williams has confirmed seats for Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alex Albon for 2025. “The driver line-up is solid and I think this remains the right one for Williams to grow and become a strong contender for the world championship,” said Bowles.
“But as a father, I’m very proud of what Franco has achieved and I want him to succeed. And I think there’s a right way to bring him back to Williams and have him thrive here. It’s about making sure he has a career. That’s all.”
Colapinto will compete for the vacant Sauber seat with Valtteri Bottas and McLaren hopeful Gabriel Bolteret. Bottas will join Sauber in 2022 and hopes to sign a long-term contract. Bortleto also currently leads the F2 standings.
McLaren gave Bortleto permission to negotiate with Sauber/Audi, and Bowles said Williams was willing to loan the Colapinto Academy product to Audi.
“I won’t discuss any contractual arrangements, but he will always be part of the family,” Bowles said. “And that, you should know, doesn’t mean you can’t race with other teams.”
Category: Formula 1 / Williams running / Sauber F1 Team / audio / Frank Colapinto