F1
Vowles says open to talks between Williams and Sauber-Audi for Colapinto
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What if Franco Colapinto became the number 1 candidate to support Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber in 2025? This hypothesis, which seemed far-fetched just a few weeks ago, is becoming more and more credible as the weeks and race weekends go by. In two Grands Prix, the Argentinian impressed the paddock by picking up 4 points on his second start, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. To the great delight of Williams – who climbed to 8th place in the Constructors’ Championship – and its principal, James Vowles.
“He did an absolutely remarkable job. He jumped in with both feet first and hasn’t stopped swimming since! He’s doing really well. And to score points in his second Grand Prix, just a few seconds behind Alex [Albon], it's extraordinary, declared the Briton, dithyrambic towards his young protégé at a press conference in Singapore.. We knew he was fast, that's why we put him in the car, but we expected him to take longer to get up to speed."
Williams expects approach from Sauber-Audi
Franco Colapinto, promoted to starting driver at Williams in place of Logan sargeant from the Italian Grand Prix at the end of August, has seen his career take a turn in recent weeks. His two Grands Prix have given him great publicity and, even if he is assured of not driving for Williams in 2025 – the seats are already reserved for Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon – another team could be in the running to recruit him: Sauber-Audi. Apart from Racing Bulls (which will choose an internal driver), it is the only team that still has a place available… and the Argentinian is among the last contenders.
Asked about the possibility of letting Franco Colapinto leave Hinwil Next season, James Vowles has left all options open. "He's a racing driver, and I think he's already shown in a few races that he belongs on the grid. What we've already said is that we're very open-minded., confided the English leader. We are waiting, in this case, for Audi or Sauber to come to us and say: what do you want, what interests you? From there, we can discuss what that really involves. But the first step is rather an open discussion.
ALSO READ > Colapinto on Audi seat rumors: "I have no idea what's going to happen in 2025"
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
20/09/2024 at 05:35 a.m.
Ready to discuss... for hard cash, right? One thing is certain: both the Brazilian Bortoleto and the Argentinian Colapinto have many local sponsors behind them who are frustrated by the absence of South Americans in F1, something that Théo Pourchaire unfortunately does not have!