Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Tuesday September 17, 2024 at 10:52 p.m.
The Williams team, which has already completed its recruitment for next season, is pushing for its current driver Franco Colapinto to remain in F1 next year, particularly at Sauber.
Franco Colapinto has only two Formula 1 Grands Prix and four points to his name, but the 21-year-old Argentinian driver has already made a strong impression. While he was still racing in Formula 2 a month ago, he was called to the rescue by Williams to replace Logan Sargeant, who was not at all convincing in his second season. He finished twelfth in Italy and then eighth in Azerbaijan, already showing great qualitiesFranco Colapinto will take part in the last seven Grands Prix of the season at the wheel of the Williams, but normally we will not see him again in Formula 1 next year. Williams has already announced the arrival of Carlos Sainz Jr. from Ferrari for the next two years, and he will team up with Alexander Albon, who had extended his contract “for several years” last May. But James Vowles, the boss of the Williams team, is very keen to see Colapinto in F1 next year, and is pushing to send him to Sauber, one of the only teams (along with Racing Bulls) where there is a seat available for next season.
“He will always be part of the family”
“In two races he showed the world that he deserves a place in Formula 1. I have always been a believer in letting good drivers race. So we will see if we can find a way to work with Audi (who will definitely take over Sauber in 2026, editor’s note) for next year,” Vowles explained to Autosport. I am incredibly proud, as a father, of what Franco has accomplished, and I want him to succeed, and the right way to get him back to Williams is to make sure he builds his career. It’s as simple as that. I won’t go into the contractual arrangements, but he will always be part of the family. That’s what you need to know, but that doesn’t mean he can’t run elsewhere.” Maybe a study loan, like they do in football? Answer in the coming weeks…
