Argentine driver Franco Colapinto could be racing in Formula 1 in 2025, said Williams F1 team principal James Vowles. The 21-year-old has so far impressed in his first three races but seemed set to miss out next season given that the Oxfordshire-based team already had their confirmed drivers for next year.
Vowles, however, has now admitted he’s in talks with the Sauber/Audi team over a potential loan deal to keep Colapinto in the F1 in 2025. The team currently runs as Sauber but will become part of the Audi factory in 2026.
The Argentine driver joined Williams replacing U.S. driver Logan Sargeant after the Netherlands Grand Prix but wasn’t expected to keep the spot in the long run. Thailand’s Alex Albon is under contract with the team until 2027 and Willams has recently announced current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, from Spain, will join them in 2025 under a two-year contract.
According to an interview Vowles gave to The Wall Street Journal, Colapinto could join Sauber/Audi for two seasons. The team has yet to confirm its full driver lineup. Its current drivers, Chinese Guanyu Zhou and Finnish Valtteri Bottas, are on expiring contracts and only Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg has been confirmed for 2025.
However, Vowles confirmed that if there’s no deal, he’ll be keeping the Pilar native as a reserve driver in the chance that another seat opens in the future. “He would work with us on developing the future cars by being in our simulator and doing that testing work for us at the same time,” he said, adding there are several series for Colapinto to compete in for 2025 if an F1 seat doesn’t materialize.
“It’s good for us; we’re signed, but watch next year – I think you’re going to see a little bit more movement,” he said.