Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle has expressed confidence that Franco Colapinto is in a strong position to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing for the 2025 Formula 1 season. According to Brundle, Perez’s underwhelming performance during qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix has only solidified the possibility of this transition.
Martin Brundle: Franco Colapinto a Likely Candidate for Red Bull in 2025
Colapinto has made an immediate impact since stepping in for Logan Sargeant at Williams in August. The young Argentine has demonstrated remarkable potential by holding his own against seasoned teammate Alex Albon, and he has already secured points finishes in Baku and Austin.
Earlier this month, *PlanetF1.com* reported that Franco Colapinto is emerging as a key candidate to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025. This speculation gained traction after Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner reportedly met with Williams Team Principal James Vowles during the Brazilian Grand Prix to discuss Franco Colapinto’s future.
Vowles has previously expressed a commitment to helping Colapinto secure a long-term seat in Formula 1, even if that means with a rival team. Williams has already locked in its 2024 lineup, featuring Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, leaving no room for the rising star in their squad next year.
Despite a reported £20 million buyout clause to release Franco Colapinto from his Williams contract, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher recently suggested that a deal for the 21-year-old to join Red Bull’s camp has been finalized. However, it remains uncertain whether Franco Colapinto will race directly for Red Bull Racing or be placed in their junior team, VCARB, for the 2025 season.
The mounting pressure on Sergio Perez has only fueled the speculation. Despite signing a two-year contract extension in June, the Mexican driver’s struggles in 2024 have cast significant doubt over his future. Perez has failed to secure a podium finish since April’s Chinese Grand Prix, and his Las Vegas qualifying session marked a new low—managing only 16th in Q1 and trailing Verstappen’s pace by nearly a second.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko recently confirmed that a decision regarding Perez’s future will be made following the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Speaking during Sky F1’s coverage of the Las Vegas qualifying session—before Colapinto’s unfortunate crash in Q2—Brundle highlighted how Sergio Perez’s ongoing difficulties have only enhanced Colapinto’s chances.
When asked whether Franco Colapinto has “half a chance” of securing a seat on the 2025 Formula 1 grid, Martin Brundle stated that the odds appear to be steadily shifting in the Argentine’s favor.
“I think there’s a great chance you will – probably in quite a competitive car. We’ll see how all that plays out, but I think tonight’s various performances cements that a little bit further.”
Colapinto emphasized that he is not overly focused on his future at the moment, as his management team is already in discussions with Williams Team Principal James Vowles to determine the best path forward for the upcoming season.
When questioned about his priorities for the remainder of this year, whether it’s to accumulate experience or secure a full-time seat for the 2025 Formula 1 season, Franco Colapinto responded to the media in Las Vegas: “I believe it’s a bit of both.” He acknowledged the dual importance of gaining valuable experience while also positioning himself for a potential permanent seat next year.
“I haven’t really thought much about my future so far. I’ve been trying to focus race by race, session by session, and just trying to do my best. Not really focusing on what I want to achieve or what expectations I have, just trying to do the basics right and then we see where we end up, but at the moment, it is going well. I don’t really know about my future at the moment. It’s more my managers, James is also involved in what [Williams] can do. Of course, my goal and my target is to stay in Formula 1. I came only for a couple of races and I’m hoping to show that I’m here to stay, so that’s our goal. Of course, Williams has two drivers [signed for F1 2025], so that’s not a possibility, but I’m always very, very grateful to the team.”
Leave a Reply