Williams Team Principal James Vowles has left the door wide open for potential discussions with Sauber/Audi regarding Franco Colapinto’s future in Formula 1, following the young Argentinian’s impressive debut performances. Colapinto, who stepped into the Williams seat at the Italian Grand Prix, replacing Logan Sargeant for the final nine races, has quickly showcased his talent, marking him as a future prospect despite Williams’ already secured 2025 driver lineup with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
Colapinto’s start at Monza was solid, adapting quickly with minimal preparation time. Despite a crash in FP1 at Azerbaijan, he bounced back spectacularly, reaching Q3 and securing a P8 finish, scoring his first F1 points and contributing to a double points haul for Williams. However, with no available seats at Williams for 2025, Colapinto’s F1 future could lie with Sauber/Audi, who still have an open spot.
Vowles, enthusiastic about Colapinto’s potential, is open to exploring a partnership that could keep the 21-year-old in F1. “We’re very open-minded. We’re waiting for Audi or Sauber to approach us and see what we can discuss,” Vowles stated. He praised Colapinto’s resilience and ability to stay “calm under pressure,” noting that his seamless adaptation to F1 has exceeded expectations.
Reflecting on Colapinto’s rapid progression, Vowles admitted, “We knew he was quick, but I expected him to take more time to get up to speed. His ability to absorb pressure and deliver on unfamiliar tracks like Baku shows his exceptional talent.” The Williams boss highlighted Colapinto’s calm demeanor, describing him as a driver who remains collected even under the intense pressure of F1, consistently seeking more information to improve.
When questioned if Williams might regret not promoting Colapinto earlier, Vowles acknowledged that the timing was crucial. “We’ve been developing him behind the scenes, preparing him for this opportunity. Had we put him in the car earlier, he might not have been the same driver you see today. The preparation, both in the simulator and on track, was key.”
Vowles emphasized that while decisions to replace drivers are never easy, bringing Colapinto into the fold was the right move given the team’s performance evolution. As Williams continues to refine its car and driver lineup, the prospect of Colapinto racing for Audi in 2025 remains a tantalizing possibility. For now, the spotlight is on Colapinto’s ongoing development, as he aims to solidify his place on the F1 grid and capitalize on every opportunity.
