Franco Colapinto is ignoring hypothesis that he might safe a race seat elsewhere in 2025 amid sturdy 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 time break, and the rookie has been extraordinarily spectacular in scoring factors in two of his 5 races thus far. 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 permit him to depart.
“I believe I shouldn’t be the individual requested about that,” Colapinto stated. “After all, I don’t know the reply, and I suppose sure, I believe if Williams can not give me a race seat, I believe the traditional factor is that they permit me to go someplace else and that they discover one of the best alternative for me for the longer term. However I’m not the appropriate individual to be requested. I must be the final one.
“I’m right here with Williams this weekend and I’m going to attempt to do my finest 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 longer term, it is going to be nice that it occurs. I assumed I used to be not going to be racing in F1 subsequent yr, and that’s nonetheless my first view, so I don’t actually get too enthusiastic about no matter they’re speaking about.”
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Colapinto’s efficiency haven’t gone unnoticed by his friends, with Hamilton effusive in praising the job the Argentine rookie has carried out thus far and urging his administration to depart no stone unturned in attempting to safe a race seat.
“I believe he’s carried out an unbelievable job, last-minute to be known as upon and thrown into the deep finish on this sport,” Hamilton stated. “Nearly all of us, if we’re fortunate to get within the sport, we’ve a little bit of a run-up.
“When you have a look at younger Kimi [Antonelli] for instance, he’s bought plenty of take a look at 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 unbelievable job. It’s all the time nice to see younger individuals, younger proficient people get the chance to return 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 Crimson Bull might be thinking about including him to the group’s driver pool.
“I wish to be in System 1. I got here very late within the yr, and I bought an incredible alternative by Williams, by James [Vowles, team principal]. Sven [Smeets, sporting director], everybody within the group 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 yr.
“I attempted to do my finest and have one of the best outcomes doable to indicate that I deserve to sit down right here — that’s what I’m attempting to indicate and to realize. And if it’s not subsequent yr, 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 System 1 automobile and now to be right here doing these final 9 races, it’s very particular.”
Hamilton was significantly impressed by his personal on-track duel with Colapinto.
“We had an amazing little battle — it was super-safe, laborious however honest, and I believe he’s earned his proper to be right here,” Hamilton stated. “There’s nonetheless a seat out there, and he’s saying it’s not for him to determine 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 give attention to doing his job each weekend, as he’s. Hopefully he’s bought good individuals behind him who’re doing the appropriate job to ensure he’s right here racing subsequent yr.”
