Max Verstappen believes the impressive performances delivered so far by Williams rookie Franco Colapinto emphasizs the need for F1 teams to be more trusting of young, emerging talent.
Since his F1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix last September, when he replaced a struggling Logan Sargeant, Colapinto has surpassed expectations.
The young Argentine has not only performed on a par with his experienced teammate Alex Albon, the 21-year-old has also delivered a pair of top-ten finishes to Williams in his six races with the team.
However, his future remains uncertain, despite Williams team principal James Vowles making every effort to help his young apprentice secure a spot on the grid for 2025.
While Williams values Colapinto’s potential, their plans are constrained, with Carlos Sainz joining Albon at the British outfit next season.
However, with its own line-up in flux due to Sergio Perez’s poor results, Red Bull are reportedly taking a keen interest in the young gun and considering whether to reach a deal with Williams to secure Colapinto’s services for 2025, either for Red Bull racing or for RB.
Verstappen acknowledged the complexities of the situation.
"It's complicated to answer that because he's still contracted to Williams," the Dutchman told the media, quoted by RacingNews365.
"He's doing a great job. I think also Williams is probably scratching their heads a bit about what to do with Franco."
Reflecting on Colapinto’s journey and its broader implications, Verstappen underlined the importance of teams taking more risks with young drivers.
"For me personally, it just shows that teams in general just need to be more open to put young talents in and trust them," said Verstappen, who himself entered F1 as a 17-year-old prodigy in 2015.
"Because now you have this kind of situation where he’s a Williams junior and potentially has to leave or try to find luck elsewhere while they could have put him in the car."
Verstappen steered clear of commenting on Red Bull potentially bringing Colapinto into its fold, but the championship leader did express his belief that the Argentine deserves a place on the grid.
"It's complicated," he reiterated. "Whatever he decides or his management decides to do, does he deserve a spot on the grid? I think with what he has shown so far, yes.
“But it's not easy to find a spot at the moment."
As the season approaches its conclusion, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds for Colapinto. Whether he stays with Williams, moves to Red Bull, or finds another opportunity, the 21-year-old has already demonstrated that he belongs at motorsport’s pinnacle.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s call for trust in youth serves as a clear reminder of the transformative potential of betting on emerging stars.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and X
