The grid for next season seemed to be more or less settled. However, the sudden rise of Franco Colapinto has shaken things up, with the Argentine driver now in search of a seat after initially coming in as a temporary replacement.
Offers are not lacking, and confirmation has come from the Williams driver’s own team. “How likely is it that we’ll see him on the track next year? On a scale of one to ten, I’d say twenty,” said Maria Catarineu, Franco Colapinto’s manager, recently.
Now it remains to be seen which team will manage to secure one of the most sought-after talents in the circus. Among Alpine, Williams, and Red Bull, Christian Horner’s team seems to have a slight advantage, although there are still whispers about a possible trade with Carlos Sainz for 2025.
According to some rumors, there appears to be a discussion between James Vowles and Christian Horner to evaluate the possibility of the Ferrari Spaniard joining Max Verstappen, while Williams would retain the young Argentine talent.
What should Red Bull do?
Now the question is what would be most beneficial for Red Bull. The only certainty seems to be that Sergio Perez, despite his newly renewed contract, will no longer be alongside Max Verstappen in 2025. The Mexican’s performances have been the main reason for the reigning champions’ failure to defend their Constructors’ title.
For this reason, Christian Horner has been exploring solutions. One possible option is Franco Colapinto, who, according to Argentine media, may already have a signed contract with Red Bull to drive the same car as the current world champion. However, for this to happen, Horner would need to pay the $30 million buyout clause that ties the Argentine driver to Williams.
At the same time, James Vowles is considering the possibility of sending Carlos Sainz to Red Bull to keep the driver he brought in to replace Logan Sargeant.
So, what would benefit Red Bull? Signing Colapinto might be the best choice. The Argentine, while talented and on the rise, is still young and has limited experience, which means he would likely accept a second driver role more willingly in 2025, while Red Bull assesses Verstappen’s future.
On the other hand, Carlos Sainz, after his “forced” departure from Ferrari, wants to prove he can be a championship-caliber driver. This ambition could create tension within Christian Horner’s team if he returned to Red Bull.
Of course, for now, it’s just speculation. Canceling the contract between Carlos Sainz and Williams won’t be easy, considering all the sponsors tied to the Spanish driver. Meanwhile, James Vowles will also do everything he can to avoid losing Franco Colapinto. After an eventful start to 2024 marked by the “deal of the century,” it’s clear the upcoming weeks will be anything but calm.
Leave a Reply