Some years ago, Franco Colapinto He got into a racing car with the dream of racing in Formula 1. A few hours ago, the man from Pilar was spinning at full speed with his Williams at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, the lavish Emirati road course. It is the last Grand Prix that the Argentine will compete in the maximum. The doors seem closed for 2025, but nothing is decided and there is still a question that floats in the great circus: is it the last Grand Prix? The impact it caused and the dance of the millions can bring more clarity.
Colapinto’s emergence into Formula 1 generated sensations of all kinds. The 21-year-old driver showed that he is fast (he held the speed record on several circuits) and has talent. It is true that the accidents in the last races, especially in Brazil and vegasreduced the desire of other teams to have him, but it is also true that there are moments when it seems that the Buenos Aires native is faster than his own car.
Williams, perhaps the largest team in Formula 1 after Ferrari but out of favor for about 20 years, he quickly captured the talent he had in his second car. Specialists say that the Argentine is “worth” $20 millionmoney that would increase the budget of the structure in Grove, England. There lies the public interest in the young runner remaining in the category.
One of the first teams to try to keep Colapinto was Red Bulltoday the most important team in the division and also owner of Racing Bullsthe younger sister. Max Verstappen He is the big star and in the next few hours the Mexican’s departure will be announced Sergio Perezfaithful supporter and who has the undisputed support of Carlos Slim’s monetary wealth.
The departure of “Checo” would be to the detriment of the promotion of Liam Lawson, who was promoted to Racing Bulls as a junior talent and would be “Super Max’s” partner. Thus, his place in the subsidiary would be occupied by the Frenchman Isack Hadjar, another member of the Austrian firm’s academy and who is fighting for the Formula 2 championship. Christian Horner, Red Bull’s highest authority, made it clear that for the moment the Argentinian would not “fit” into his teams.
Alpine appeared a few weeks ago as another option for “Franquito”, as fans like to say on the networks. Spiritual successor to Renault F1 Team, the French house is still dominated by Flavio Briatorethat leader of the Benetton team that was twice champion with Michael Schumacher in the 90s and who, although he is not currently the formal boss, holds power. The Italian businessman wants to have the Buenos Aires native under his wing.
Last weekend in Qatar, Frenchman Esteban Ocon collided with Colapinto after a bad maneuver by Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) in the first corner. Coincident or not, the team decided to no longer race this weekend with the pink car and leave his place to the Australian Jack Doohan as Pierre Gasly’s partner. But Briatore, as reported in the European media, does not fully trust the oceanic and will use this latest date as proof of his worth. Even more: in the Aussie’s contract there is a clause by which they can break the bond in mid-2025.
Colapinto’s 2025 options and the big changes to Formula 1 in 2026
Williams waits patiently. It has already been mentioned that Colapinto will be a reserve driver for next season, in which Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will be the starters. However, the possibility of a transfer (and the income of juicy money) looks tempting. Even though, according to “radio corridor” versions of the Formula 1 world, Red Bull and Alpine state that they have no interest in the Argentine in order to negotiate lower numbers.
The desire to have a talent like Colapinto’s, who has already demonstrated his adaptation to the category, the speed in his handling, the charisma off the track and his arrival in traditional and heterodox media, is clear. But also another detail that accompanies the sporting factor: financial support.
Mercado Libre played fast as Williams’ sponsor. In parallel with the sponsorship of Globant, the other great national unicorn, which also exhibited a huge number of posters at the Abu Dhabi circuit. Both firms seem to be in the Colapinto team, as is YPF, which beyond money, can be a fuel contributor for the teams that do not lead Formula 1. With the departure of Pérez – and therefore, of Slim and all the markets and audiences of Mexico, the US, Brazil and Canada – Red Bull could try to recover that financial portion. Even more so Alpine, which is fighting to stay in 6th place in the constructors’ championship and the millions that that would imply.
One more fact. In 2026, the year of the change in the technical regulations, Sauber F1 Team will become Audiand will be added cadillacthe 11th team. There is a double possibility for Colapinto, added to the fact that the American team will receive compensation of more than US$ 450 million and that it will seek to recover. The Argentine could also run in the structure whose alma mater is Mario Andretti Nicolas Varrone and thus form a purely national binomial.
Everything indicates that Colapinto will not start 2025 in competition, but it must wait in hiding. Confirmations will arrive in the next few hours, once this season has concluded. The general image shows that the Pilarense, with a superior car, is ready for more, but it is also a counterfactual fact. In the great circus of motorsports, results and money rule. The dream is fulfilled although now, after the test, he wants more.
Source: Ambito
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