Williams rookie Franco Colapinto has downplayed the speculation linking him to a potential move to Red Bull's sister outfit Visa Cash App RB team for 2025.
The young Argentine who was drafted in by Williams at the Italian Grand Prix to replace a struggling Logan Sargeant has accomplished himself remarkably well in his first five races with the Grove-based outfit, scoring two top-ten finishes.
Despite his impressive achievements, Colapinto will make way for Carlos Sainz at the end of the season. A reserve role for the talented 21-year-old is guaranteed at Williams which has locked up its rookie's services for the long term.
However, team boss James Vowles has repeatedly said that he would be open to a loan deal with a fellow competitor to keep Colapinto on the grid next season, admitting to talks with Audi-Sauber.
After last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, Vowles was queried on the status of Colapinto's future.
“I think in all of these things at the moment, let's start with the basics,” Vowles told F1 TV . “He has earned his place on the grid, and what we want to help with is finding him a place in that regard.
“What it looks like, I can't tell you at the moment, because A, it's very sensitive, and B, there's really not a lot to discuss right now.”
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However, a potential vacancy at Red Bull's RB team is also seen as a possible port of call for Colapinto, with whispers of a move to the Faenza squad making the rounds in the paddock at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
But Colapinto himself was quick to quash the gossip, expressing confusion over the hearsay.
“I don't understand much of what they are talking about. “I don't know where it came from,” he told F1 TV.
“I don't have any seats for next year, and at the moment, I'm not racing Formula 1. I'm probably going to be racing somewhere else.”
©Williams
Colapinto clarified that while 2024 may see him stepping away from F1, his sights remain firmly set on securing a full-time drive in the years to come.
“So look, it's going to be maybe a year that I'm not going to be here, but I hope to be showing that I deserve a seat here enough to come back in '26 or '27.
“It is my goal, and it's why I'm doing what I can race after race.
“That's why [after qualifying] I was disappointed with the result and just trying to do my best session after session to try and show I deserve to be here.”
Speaking to Austrian daily Kleine Zeitung , Red Bull's Helmut Marko also poured cold water on the rumors of a potential loan deal with the Argentine driver, pointing out the complications posed by his contract.
“The problem with him is that he has a long-term contract with Williams,” Marko revealed, adding that a loan arrangement as suggested by Vowles would not be appealing to Red Bull.
“It's not interesting for any team. “You do not want to train a driver for another team.”
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