Franco Colapinto is ignoring hypothesis that he may safe a race seat elsewhere in 2025 amid robust reward of his efficiency at Williams from Lewis Hamilton at a media convention (pictured above) forward of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Williams promoted Colapinto rather than Logan Sargeant shortly after the summer season break, and the rookie has been extraordinarily spectacular in scoring factors in two of his 5 races to date. Ending no decrease than twelfth to this point, Colapinto has been linked with a transfer to RB or Stake in 2025, however he says he’s unaware of whether or not Williams would enable him to go away.
“I believe I shouldn’t be the individual requested about that,” Colapinto mentioned. “In fact, I don’t know the reply, and I suppose sure, I believe if Williams can not give me a race seat, I believe the conventional factor is that they permit me to go someplace else and that they discover one of the best alternative for me for the long run. However I’m not the best individual to be requested. I needs to be the final one.
“I’m right here with Williams this weekend and I’m going to attempt to do my greatest right here in Brazil. It’s a really thrilling race, nice environment, and I can not wait to be driving the Williams round Interlagos. I believe for the long run, it is going to be nice that it occurs. I assumed I used to be not going to be racing in F1 subsequent 12 months, and that’s nonetheless my first view, so I don’t actually get too enthusiastic about no matter they’re speaking about.”
Colapinto’s efficiency haven’t gone unnoticed by his friends, with Hamilton effusive in praising the job the Argentine rookie has completed to date and urging his administration to go away no stone unturned in attempting to safe a race seat.
“I believe he’s completed an unbelievable job, last-minute to be known as upon and thrown into the deep finish on this sport,” Hamilton mentioned. “Nearly all of us, if we’re fortunate to get within the sport, we’ve a little bit of a run-up.
“For those who have a look at younger Kimi [Antonelli] for instance, he’s bought plenty of check days earlier than his race, I believe he’ll have one thing like 20 days within the automobile, which is unprecedented. Whereas for this man right here he didn’t have that — he simply jumped straight in and he did a implausible job. It’s at all times nice to see younger individuals, younger proficient people get the chance to come back by means of and shine, and I believe he did that within the first race.”
For his half, Colapinto says he’s not taking note of rumors that Pink Bull might be fascinated with including him to the workforce’s driver pool.
“I want to be in Formulation 1. I got here very late within the 12 months, and I bought an incredible alternative by Williams, by James [Vowles, team principal]. Sven [Smeets, sporting director], everybody within the workforce gave me plenty of belief, confidence to place me in that race seat. And I bought an incredible likelihood that I used to be not anticipating to get this 12 months.
“I attempted to do my greatest and have one of the best outcomes doable to indicate that I deserve to take a seat right here — that’s what I’m attempting to indicate and to attain. And if it’s not subsequent 12 months, I hope that it’s in ’26 or ’27.
“I’m probably not having a lot strain or something like that. I’m attempting to benefit from the second, benefit from the alternative that I’ve bought. It was my dream since I used to be little or no to drive a Formulation 1 automobile and now to be right here doing these final 9 races, it’s very particular.”
Hamilton was notably impressed by his personal on-track duel with Colapinto.
“We had an amazing little battle — it was super-safe, laborious however truthful, and I believe he’s earned his proper to be right here,” Hamilton mentioned. “There’s nonetheless a seat out there, and he’s saying it’s not for him to resolve however my recommendation can be… I might be pushing on my facet, ensuring I do completely all the things.
“On the finish of the day he’s bought to simply proceed to concentrate on doing his job each weekend, as he’s. Hopefully he’s bought good individuals behind him who’re doing the best job to verify he’s right here racing subsequent 12 months.”
