Red Bull Racing’s hunt for new talent has zeroed in on young sensation Franco Colapinto, with insiders suggesting he could be a top candidate to join their F1 lineup as early as 2025. As Red Bull assesses its lineup, Yuki Tsunoda, currently in his fourth season with the Faenza-based team, admits it’s no surprise Colapinto is on their radar—especially given the Argentinian’s impressive performances, despite limited opportunities with Williams.
While Sergio Perez remains contracted with Red Bull until 2026, his underwhelming season has fueled speculation about his future. Should Perez be sidelined, Liam Lawson has widely been seen as the frontrunner to step up, but Colapinto’s sudden availability has intensified the intrigue. Unable to secure a full-time seat with Williams, Colapinto has become a hot commodity, and Red Bull boss Christian Horner was recently seen leaving the Williams unit, sparking further rumors.
Tsunoda himself acknowledges the talent Colapinto brings, stating, “He’s doing well and doesn’t have a seat for next season, so it would be surprising if he’s not considered an option.” The Japanese driver, preparing to drive the RB20 in the post-season Abu Dhabi test, is focused on proving his own capabilities in hopes of climbing Red Bull’s ranks alongside Verstappen, who he described as “the best driver so far.”
Colapinto’s name being floated for the top Red Bull team alongside Verstappen would represent a seismic shift and could mean serious competition for Tsunoda, who remains intent on securing a long-term role with Red Bull. Tsunoda remains focused on self-improvement, saying, “I just focus now on what I have to do. So far, I haven’t achieved what I want, so we’ll see how it goes.”
With Red Bull’s remaining seats in play and Colapinto’s stock on the rise, the off-season promises to be a pivotal one for Red Bull’s roster—and for the F1 grid overall—as 2025 draws nearer.