Colapinto is “turning heads” in F1, but what are his options for 2025?

It is a question seemingly put to Franco Colapinto after every session he has entered as a Formula 1 driver – ‘do you think this performance will help get you a seat next year’?

In truth, the Argentinian has only an outside chance of lining up for the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 16 March. Despite catching the eye, Colapinto has ended up in the right place at the wrong time.

Williams team principal James Vowles brought in rookie Colapinto to replace Logan Sargeant from the Italian GP onwards, the American having struggled for form as well as suffering a few high-speed crashes.

Colapinto, 21, rewarded that show of faith and has hit the ground running since he stepped up from the MP Motorsport team in Formula 2. He has five points from his four races to date and followed his recovery from a poor qualifying to finish 12th on debut in Monza by outqualifying team-mate Alex Albon at the Azerbaijan GP.

There he went on to take his first points in eighth, before tussling with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez on his way to an 11th place finish in Singapore, then claiming a point by rounding out the top 10 in Austin – where he was denied the fastest lap point by a tactical move from Alpine in the closing stages.

Such has his form caught the imagination in his homeland that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has hinted the world championship could look to return to Argentina in the near future.

But that plan could fall flat if Colapinto drops out of F1. This is a real possibility as there is no space at Williams – who are teaming Albon with the incoming Carlos Sainz for 2025 onwards.

Vowles has said he believes Colapinto is worthy of a drive – even if that means he ends up taking points off Williams while representing one of its rivals. So what options does that leave open to a man who is already having to laugh off suggestions he could be F1’s answer to compatriot Lionel Messi?

RB

There are two seats currently left unfilled for the 2025 F1 season, but a number of moving parts will ultimately decide which driver takes them.

RB, and big brother team Red Bull, have always preferred promoting from within its own racing programme. World champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen are the shining examples, but Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly and Sainz all came through a similar pathway too.

Verstappen is in place for at least 2025, but…