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Vowles gives update on Colapinto's future with 'a number of teams' interested in signing the Williams driver
James Vowles has provided an update on Franco Colapinto’s future in F1, declaring that Williams are in conversations with multiple teams that are interested in signing him.
The Argentine has only been on the grid for five races so far but has made a significant impression in the midfield team – the 21-year-old has scored points on two occasions and is yet to finish below P12 in a Grand Prix.
Despite having little preparation time before he was promoted from F2 to replace Logan Sargeant, Colapinto has created a conundrum for the Grove outfit as they have both of their 2025 seats filled by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
One of the remaining vacant seats for next season is at Sauber alongside veteran racer Nico Hulkenberg, but it has also been reported that the Red Bull family could be interested in adding Colapinto to their roster.
‘There’s a number of teams interested’ – Williams boss Vowles on Colapinto’s future
Quizzed on what Colapinto's future could hold ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Williams Team Principal said: “We are exploring possibilities with a number of teams that are interested at the moment. Beyond there, it would be wrong to do anything more than speculate. There’s nothing to really communicate beyond that point.
“When there is, I’ll happily talk about it because he’s an exceptional driver, and I really mean that. Go and look outside – there are tens of thousands of individuals here to support a driver that’s been in our championship for five races.
“He’s doing an outstanding job on track and as I’ve said from the very beginning, earn your position and elements will come your way. Beyond there, especially when we look at the fact that he’s a 21-year-old and my responsibility is also towards him and making sure we do the right thing, I want to make sure that when we have news, it will come to the world.”
With just four races of the season to go, there are still plenty of moving parts in the driver market for 2025 and beyond, but Colapinto himself confirmed yesterday that he is not expecting to be on the grid next season.
Vowles was confident that a decision will be made before the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi, but could not provide a more exact date.
“It’s never straightforward between Formula 1 teams because you’re fighting on track and you’re trying to find a solution for the career of a young man,” he explained. “He is earning his place. He needs to do more on track to keep earning his place as a result, but he’s shining and that’s why there’s interest from teams.
“Our responsibility in that is a responsibility both towards him and Williams. Hopefully we’ll have some great news to talk to everyone about, but today that isn’t available."
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