Argentine race driver Franco Colapinto continued to impress the Formula 1 paddock at the Mexico Grand Prix, fighting through the field to finish 12th. But with most teams already set in their driver lineup, did his drive at the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit help his case for a 2025 seat with another team?

Mexico was a solid but less spectacular race for Colapinto. The 21-year-old, who was debuting a new helmet design inspired by Argentine racing great Carlos Reutemann, didn’t pull off highlights such as his turn one dive at Singapore or his daring pass of two-time champ Fernando Alonso at the United States GP.

Colapinto’s highlight of the race was undoubtedly his victory in what could be called the “battle of the rookies” against RBF1’s Liam Lawson. He barely has more experience than the Argentine, having raced five times in 2023. Starting four positions behind the New Zealander, Colapinto took advantage of another long stint on hard compound tires to push through the field.

In the 66th lap, he passed Lawson in a very tight maneuver, which ended with the two cars touching and some damage for the New Zealander.

The RBF1 driver insisted it wasn’t Colapinto’s fault after the race, calling it a “just a clumsy incident,” but motorsport’s governing body FIA didn’t agree. They slapped the Argentine racer with a 10-second penalty after the race for “causing a collision.”

Colapinto also got two penalty points in his superlicence, the racing qualification that allows drivers to compete in the F1. Drivers are allowed up to 12 penalty points over a 12-month period, after which they are banned from competing at the following event.

“I think [the penalty] has more to do with [Lawson’s car getting damaged], which is not my fault,” said Colapinto of the incident. He added that the rules give very little weight to the split-second decisions drivers sometimes have to make, and that stewards shouldn’t be looking at the consequences of such a minor accident.

How are Colapinto’s chances of a 2025 seat?

Despite finishing no lower than twelfth across five races, a seat for Colapinto next season is still looking tough. Williams F1 has admitted they’re open to working a deal with another team to secure a seat at Audi-owned Sauber F1, but nothing has materialized yet. 

Now, a new option seems to be emerging: RBF1. Part of the Red Bull family, the team has often been used as a testing ground for future Red Bull Racing drivers. Current world champion Max Verstappen and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel both had a stint with RBF1 before making the leap.

Sergio “Checo” Pérez has accrued less than half of the points teammate Verstappen has in the second Red Bull Racing car, a disappointing result that could open the door for Colapinto. 

Key Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was very critical of the Mexican driver, admitting to Sky Germany “the upswing in form we were hoping for did not materialize.”

Marko was very open about his view on Colapinto during the Mexico GP, calling his performances “incredible for a relatively inexperienced driver” and admitting “he’s one for the future.” His comments echo those of Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, who said Colapinto is “a very talented driver” who “obviously deserves to be in F1.”

Williams F1 team principal James Vowles refused to answer a question by Sky Sports’s F1 reporter David Croft on the matter, saying “we’re into a sensitive negotiation, you don’t give away anything at this stage.”

With Lawson touted for a Red Bull Racing spot in the future, Colapinto’s performance against him in Mexico will certainly help his case in the eyes of the Red Bull Racing management.