Nov.18 (GMM) Franco Colapinto is on the best way to Purple Bull, in line with former F1 driver and now pundit Ralf Schumacher.
The spectacular rookie must vacate his Williams seat on the finish of the 12 months, however there have been rumours the group may hold him onboard in 2025 and permit Carlos Sainz to modify to Purple Bull.
Williams rejects that principle outright, confirming that Sainz will check the 2024 automobile within the post-Abu Dhabi check earlier than lining up on the grid subsequent season.
“Carlos will drive for Williams alongside Alex Albon in 2025, forming some of the formidable driver lineups on the grid,” the group declared in an announcement.
Behind the scenes, fevered negotiations have been going down between Williams, 21-year-old Colapinto’s administration, and potential various groups for 2025 together with Purple Bull and Alpine.
Schumacher, nonetheless, says it’s clear to him the place the Argentine will find yourself.
“There was plenty of curiosity in him, and never solely from Helmut Marko,” he informed formel1.de. “I feel Colapinto is a certainty at Purple Bull.”
Williams boss James Vowles has apparently been demanding $20 million to launch Colapinto from his 2025 contract, however Purple Bull might cowl that with the teenager’s immense new business attraction inside Argentina.
“Colapinto can deliver a complete bundle of sponsors,” mentioned Schumacher. “He can have closed some massive offers.”
Some suppose Colapinto might exchange the struggling Sergio Perez, though Schumacher admits a spot at Purple Bull’s junior outfit RB can also be doable.
“That’s a very good query,” mentioned Schumacher. “I don’t suppose Purple Bull is aware of precisely both.
“Internally, the scenario between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko remains to be not optimum. Then you could have Max’s father, who is de facto not pleased with the entire scenario. It’s thrilling to see the way it’s all solved, however I’m fairly positive that Colapinto will find yourself in a kind of vehicles.”
Schumacher does admit {that a} younger driver like Colapinto is a danger for Purple Bull Racing, though he’s impressed with how rapidly the newest inflow of rookies are adapting.
“However you may nonetheless see that System 1 isn’t any pony park,” he mentioned. “You may see it with (Oscar) Piastri. It’s not fairly as easy because it generally appears.”
