Franco Colapinto
Discussion
Colapinto is ace and I'm loving his work so far. Was surprised that JV chose him to replace Sargeant but he is doing an excellent job.
I know that Horner wants him (which is understandable, given the paucity of their junior programme) but I really hope he doesn't go to the cesspit that is RB. Sauber don't need another experienced driver, they should offer him the seat alongside Hulk.
I know that Horner wants him (which is understandable, given the paucity of their junior programme) but I really hope he doesn't go to the cesspit that is RB. Sauber don't need another experienced driver, they should offer him the seat alongside Hulk.
8Ace said:
Colapinto is ace and I'm loving his work so far. Was surprised that JV chose him to replace Sargeant but he is doing an excellent job.
I know that Horner wants him (which is understandable, given the paucity of their junior programme) but I really hope he doesn't go to the cesspit that is RB. Sauber don't need another experienced driver, they should offer him the seat alongside Hulk.
Yep, I also hope he doesn't end up at RBR/RB...I know that Horner wants him (which is understandable, given the paucity of their junior programme) but I really hope he doesn't go to the cesspit that is RB. Sauber don't need another experienced driver, they should offer him the seat alongside Hulk.
So far as I can understand it, Vowles has the contract on Colapinto and is now essentially running a bidding war from rival teams to pimp him out as a talent for hire?
There's nothing new in that really, but it does make me wonder what Sainz is expecting to find at Williams if a new hot talent turns up there and then gets pimped to a team with a faster car...
It's an interesting situation. It could be that Vowles is happy to bag extra development time leading up to 2026, and is then confident that with the new Merc PU he could have a top level car and could reel Colapinto back in?
jules_s said:
I think I read somewhere yesterday CH had offered JV £13m for his services (presumably for next year)?
Too much too soon imo
Apparently there's lot's of interest - which wouldn't surprise me at all. It also sadly wouldn't surprise me if RBR offered crazy money for a promising rookie because they have that money, they also have the most shocking driver supply issue over the next couple of years.Too much too soon imo
I suspect they also doubt they expect they will retain Max for much longer.
Hopefully Lance is on his way out and Colapinto can be inserted at AMR. We can but hope. I'd rather than than a very exciting driver turn up and then get tag teamed by Horny and the Helmut.
I know RB is toxic AF, but if he wants to stick around in F1 it's likely to be his best bet. It could work really well for him if Max jumps ship to Aston Martin to stay with Newey.
Audi will want a solid line up to help them develop themselves out of the current Sauber rut and they might drain Colapinto like energy vampires. Whereas Bottas & Hulkenberg might feel relieved to walk away in 2026, their time drawing to a natural close.
Audi will want a solid line up to help them develop themselves out of the current Sauber rut and they might drain Colapinto like energy vampires. Whereas Bottas & Hulkenberg might feel relieved to walk away in 2026, their time drawing to a natural close.
TheDoggingFather said:
I know RB is toxic AF, but if he wants to stick around in F1 it's likely to be his best bet. It could work really well for him if Max jumps ship to Aston Martin to stay with Newey.
Audi will want a solid line up to help them develop themselves out of the current Sauber rut and they might drain Colapinto like energy vampires. Whereas Bottas & Hulkenberg might feel relieved to walk away in 2026, their time drawing to a natural close.
It may be his best option - but hopefully he/JV will insist in a 1 year rolling contract wherever he goes - if he's as good as he appears he might be, he would ideally want to be able to change away from a team that may not do so well 2026 onwards.Audi will want a solid line up to help them develop themselves out of the current Sauber rut and they might drain Colapinto like energy vampires. Whereas Bottas & Hulkenberg might feel relieved to walk away in 2026, their time drawing to a natural close.
TheDeuce said:
jules_s said:
I think I read somewhere yesterday CH had offered JV £13m for his services (presumably for next year)?
Too much too soon imo
Apparently there's lot's of interest - which wouldn't surprise me at all. It also sadly wouldn't surprise me if RBR offered crazy money for a promising rookie because they have that money, they also have the most shocking driver supply issue over the next couple of years.Too much too soon imo
I suspect they also doubt they expect they will retain Max for much longer.
Hopefully Lance is on his way out and Colapinto can be inserted at AMR. We can but hope. I'd rather than than a very exciting driver turn up and then get tag teamed by Horny and the Helmut.
He’s had a great start to his career, as Lewis says in the video above he had little F1 testing and was thrown in at the deep end.
It was a surprising choice for the team to go with a rookie F2 driver over someone more experienced, especially when the previous guy was fired for crashing too much, but he’s already paid back the faith shown in him by the management.
I really hope he doesn’t end up at Red Bull, that bear pit has seen way too many drivers come and go over the years, as his Williams team mate will no doubt be able to explain. Alex was one of the lucky ones, he managed to stay at the top level and find his feet elsewhere, most of the others weren’t so fortunate and are now driving electric cars, endurance cars, or cars that only turn left. Aston Martin does look like a good bet, they can’t continue with the old man and the son for too many more years, especially if Newey works his magic and the car gets more competitive.
It was a surprising choice for the team to go with a rookie F2 driver over someone more experienced, especially when the previous guy was fired for crashing too much, but he’s already paid back the faith shown in him by the management.
I really hope he doesn’t end up at Red Bull, that bear pit has seen way too many drivers come and go over the years, as his Williams team mate will no doubt be able to explain. Alex was one of the lucky ones, he managed to stay at the top level and find his feet elsewhere, most of the others weren’t so fortunate and are now driving electric cars, endurance cars, or cars that only turn left. Aston Martin does look like a good bet, they can’t continue with the old man and the son for too many more years, especially if Newey works his magic and the car gets more competitive.
TheDoggingFather said:
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
Colapinto gives me Alesi ‘89 vibes.
Rumours are he will stay at team willy with Sainz going to RB.
I think that would be his best option.
That's an interesting proposition. Rumours are he will stay at team willy with Sainz going to RB.
I think that would be his best option.
Appearing in Friday’s team principals’ press conference in Sao Paulo, Vowles said: “The best I can really tell you is we’re actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well and protects all parties.
“So it’s very much in those lines. It’s the same concept behind it.
“It’s never straightforward between Formula 1 teams, because you’re fighting on track and you’re trying to find a solution for the career of a young man, but he’s earning his place.
“He needs to do more on track to keep earning his place as a result of things, but he’s shining and that’s why there’s interest from teams and our responsibility in that, as I have a responsibility both towards him and Williams, and hopefully, we’ll have some great news to be able to talk to everyone about. But today, that isn’t available.
“These sorts of things are always hard to do because you’re talking about multiple teams talking together.
“But it’ll be something that I’m confident before the last race of the season we’ll have nailed.
“But it’s really hard for me to pinpoint where in between those two timelines.”
https://www.planetf1.com/news/christian-horner-fra...
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Surely smashing the car to pieces twice yesterday hasn't helped his case?
If he does go to RB does that mean Lawson is going to be promoted to Red Bull and Perez will be retired?
I wouldn’t be too hard on him- 1st time in the wet in F1 etc.If he does go to RB does that mean Lawson is going to be promoted to Red Bull and Perez will be retired?
Whatever happens, Perez is toast
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