Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles is adamant that Franco Colapinto should secure a full-time F1 drive by 2025, even if it means the young Argentinian ends up taking points off his current team. Colapinto, who was promoted to an F1 seat starting from the Italian Grand Prix, has rapidly impressed since replacing Logan Sargeant, who was dropped due to a series of underwhelming performances and costly crashes.
The decision to give the seat to Colapinto, an F2 prospect, rather than a more experienced driver like Mick Schumacher raised eyebrows. However, after just three races, Vowles’ bold call seems to have been vindicated. Colapinto has adapted quickly, showcasing his talent and earning praise from across the paddock. Despite a difficult qualifying at Monza, he fought back to finish 12th. He then outqualified his experienced teammate Alex Albon in Azerbaijan, where he also secured his first points, finishing an impressive eighth. In Singapore, Colapinto put in another strong showing, battling with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez before finishing 11th, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in F1.
As the young driver heads into the United States Grand Prix, his performances have caught the attention of several teams, with praise even coming from Perez himself. However, despite his standout performances, there is no room for Colapinto at Williams in 2024, as the team has already confirmed their lineup of Albon and Carlos Sainz. Nevertheless, Vowles is committed to seeing Colapinto in F1 by 2025, with seats at Sauber and Red Bull still potentially available.
During an Autosport Business panel event in Austin, Vowles emphasized that Colapinto has proven himself worthy of a place on the grid. "It's definitely not out of the question," Vowles said when asked about the possibility of Colapinto securing a full-time seat next season. "It's more down to one or two other teams, not giving it away too much, but from my perspective, he absolutely has earned his place on the grid within a few races."
While Williams won't have a spot for him next season, Vowles' glowing endorsement could push other teams to give Colapinto a serious look for 2025. Whether with Williams or another team, Colapinto’s rapid rise has made it clear that he is ready to compete at the highest level, and his future in Formula 1 looks bright.
