Williams team principal James Vowles has expressed his support for Franco Colapinto’s Formula 1 career, highlighting his belief that talented drivers deserve to race at the highest level. Vowles is considering collaborating with Audi to secure a permanent seat for Colapinto on the 2025 F1 grid.
Williams elevated Colapinto, the Argentinian driver who began the 2024 season in Formula 2, to a seat for the final nine races of the current F1 season, replacing Logan Sargeant. The move came after Sargeant struggled to replicate his previous performance. Colapinto made an impressive debut in the Italian Grand Prix and despite a crash during Baku practice, he recovered to outqualify his teammate Alex Albon and secure his first points with an eighth-place finish in Azerbaijan.
However, Colapinto’s future with Williams is uncertain as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz will replace him for the 2025 season, following a decision announced during the summer break. Despite this, Vowles is eager to explore opportunities for Colapinto elsewhere, specifically mentioning the open seat at Sauber for next season, which will transition to an Audi team in 2025.
In an exclusive interview, Vowles praised Colapinto’s performance and emphasized his commitment to supporting the driver’s career. “In just two races, Franco has demonstrated that he deserves a place in Formula 1,” Vowles stated. “I firmly believe that good drivers should be given the chance to race. We will explore possibilities with Audi to find a solution for him.”
Vowles reaffirmed that while Williams has set its driver lineup for the upcoming season, he proudly acknowledges Colapinto’s achievements and remains dedicated to helping him succeed. “We have our driver lineup for Williams solidified, which aligns with our goals of becoming championship contenders,” he said. “But I am incredibly proud of Franco and want to ensure his continued success, even if that means exploring opportunities elsewhere.”
When asked about the possibility of releasing Colapinto while keeping him within the Williams family, Vowles responded cautiously, saying, “I won’t delve into specific contractual details, but Franco will always be part of the Williams family. This doesn’t preclude him from racing with another team.”
Vowles’ comments underline his commitment to Colapinto’s career development and his willingness to support the driver’s transition to a new team if necessary.
