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Max Verstappen Critiques Williams’ Handling of Franco Colapinto: ‘They Should’ve Trusted Him Sooner’

Publisher by Publisher
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Franco Colapinto to Replace Logan Sargeant at Williams for the Remainder of the 2024 F1 Season, Debuting at Monza

Max Verstappen has entered the conversation surrounding Franco Colapinto’s future, criticizing Williams for its mishandling of the young driver’s talent. Since replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season, Colapinto has impressed with two points finishes in just six outings. Yet, his efforts haven’t been enough to secure him a permanent seat at Williams, with the team opting to pair Carlos Sainz with Alex Albon for 2025.

Now, Colapinto finds himself at the center of speculation, as Red Bull has reportedly taken an interest in signing the Argentine driver. Verstappen, a product of Red Bull’s bold investment in young talent, believes the situation underscores a broader issue in Formula 1: teams’ reluctance to take risks on emerging stars.


“Verstappen: Teams Need to Trust Young Talent”

Speaking to the media about Colapinto’s predicament, Verstappen pointed out how Williams’ hesitation to fully commit to the young driver could cost them dearly.

“For me personally, it just shows that I think teams in general just need to be more open to putting young talents in and trusting them,” Verstappen said. “Now you have this kind of situation where he’s a Williams junior and potentially has to leave or try to find luck elsewhere, right?”

Verstappen, who made his F1 debut at 17, emphasized that Colapinto has proven he deserves a place on the grid: “Does he deserve a spot on the grid? I think with what he has shown so far, yes. But it’s not easy to find a spot at the moment.”


“Colapinto’s Impact at Williams”

Colapinto has exceeded expectations since stepping into Williams’ second seat at the Italian Grand Prix, consistently showcasing maturity and adaptability. His performances—culminating in two points-scoring finishes—have validated the belief that he’s ready for a full-time F1 drive.

However, Williams’ decision to bring in a seasoned driver like Carlos Sainz for 2025 has complicated Colapinto’s prospects. Team principal James Vowles has acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, revealing that talks are ongoing about Colapinto’s future.


“Red Bull Circles as Colapinto Weighs His Options”

With Williams unlikely to offer Colapinto a race seat, the 20-year-old’s growing reputation has caught the attention of Red Bull Racing. The Austrian outfit, which has a long history of identifying and nurturing young talent, could provide Colapinto with a lifeline, either at Red Bull’s main team or AlphaTauri.

Colapinto has made it clear that he expects Williams to release him if a concrete opportunity arises elsewhere:

“If Williams cannot give me a race seat, I think the normal thing is that they allow me to go somewhere else and find the best opportunity for me,” Colapinto said. “I thought I was not going to be racing in F1 next year, and that’s still my first view, so I don’t get too excited about whatever they’re talking about. But let’s see.”


“Williams’ Dilemma: Talent vs. Stability”

Williams faces a tough decision. On one hand, retaining a rising star like Colapinto could provide long-term benefits. On the other, pairing Albon with Sainz brings immediate experience and stability, which the team may feel is necessary to compete in a tightly contested Constructors’ Championship.

Verstappen, however, views this cautious approach as a missed opportunity: “They could have put him in the car. It’s complicated, but now they’re scratching their heads about what to do with Franco.”


“The Future of Colapinto”

As the 2024 season winds down, Colapinto’s future hangs in the balance. Whether he stays at Williams in a reserve role, secures a seat with Red Bull, or takes another route entirely, one thing is certain: the young driver has earned his shot in Formula 1.

For now, the spotlight remains on Williams to make the right call—or risk losing a future star to a rival team.

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