Amid growing speculation about Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull Racing, 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has added his voice to the debate, defending Perez’s position while also touting Franco Colapinto as a standout talent deserving of a shot in Formula 1.
Perez Under Fire, but Villeneuve Stresses Stability
Perez’s underwhelming performance in 2024, particularly in comparison to his dominant teammate and likely World Champion Max Verstappen, has fueled relentless rumors about his Red Bull seat. With Verstappen amassing an astonishing 393 points to Perez’s 151 across 21 races, many question whether the Mexican driver remains the right fit for the team.
However, Villeneuve dismissed the constant chatter about Perez being replaced, emphasizing the broader dynamics at play:
“It’s been 10 months now that people have been saying Perez is out at the next race. Stop saying it. He has a contract,” Villeneuve told Grosvenor Sport. “He brings sponsorship and stability to the team. Verstappen is happy with him. And who knows how much of the difference is because Perez is a bit lost right now, or just Verstappen being so amazing?”
Villeneuve also pointed out that changing drivers may not necessarily yield better results, as Verstappen’s excellence would make any teammate look average.
Franco Colapinto: A Rising Star in Red Bull’s Orbit
Reports have suggested Franco Colapinto, a Williams development driver who made waves in Formula 2, could be on Helmut Marko’s radar for a future Red Bull seat. Villeneuve was quick to highlight Colapinto’s potential but questioned whether Red Bull would break its structured junior program to accommodate him.
“Colapinto deserves a race seat. But there might not be one available,” Villeneuve said. “The purpose of the Red Bull Junior team is not to put Colapinto in the big team; it’s to build the drivers for the bigger team.”
Villeneuve added that Red Bull’s stacked pipeline of young talent—including Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and others—creates a logjam for rising stars like Colapinto. Nonetheless, Villeneuve expressed confidence in Colapinto’s maturity and approach, predicting he could outshine his contemporaries if given the chance.
“If he gets his chance, Colapinto will make the biggest impression in F1 out of all the youngsters because of his maturity and his approach. My money would be on him.”
Other Rising Stars: Bearman and Bortoleto
Villeneuve also spotlighted other young talents poised to break into Formula 1. He praised Oliver Bearman for his speed and consistency, as well as Gabriel Bortoleto, who is set to join Sauber in 2025 under the guidance of Fernando Alonso and Flavio Briatore.
“Bearman has been super quick as well. And Gabriel Bortoleto has been great in F2. Let’s see if he makes the jump like Bearman and Colapinto,” Villeneuve said.
The Red Bull Dilemma
For now, Red Bull appears to value the stability Perez brings alongside Verstappen, even if his performances pale in comparison. The team’s junior development system remains a core part of its strategy, and while Colapinto’s star is on the rise, breaking the program’s structure for him would be a significant departure.
Villeneuve’s endorsement of Colapinto, however, underscores the growing belief that the Argentine could be one of F1’s next big names—if he can navigate the cutthroat path to a top-tier seat. As for Perez, the clock may be ticking, but his future lies firmly in Red Bull’s hands.
