The Argentine continues to be talked about. Everyone wants him, but the Austrians seem more determined to have him in their team.
franc Colapinto has attracted the attention of the Circus thanks to a promising debut, combined with the ability to quickly adapt to the pressure of the top category. Despite recent difficulties that have shown the typical limits of a rookie - including significant incidents such as the one during qualifying for the Las Vegas GP - he is still at the center of discussions. At Red Bull they seem to have recognized the attraction of Latin America, so much so that the CEO Oliver Mintzlaff He himself came to Las Vegas to talk to the team Williams.
The weight of the South American market: a strategic opportunity
Promoted by Williams during the season to replace Logan Sargeant, the young Argentine, originally from Pilar, immediately demonstrated his talent, accumulating valuable points in the first races.
In addition to his on-track prowess, Colapinto has gained considerable popularity in South America, a key market area for Red Bull. With Sergio Perez's future uncertain, the Austrian team's management is exploring ways to maintain ties with Latin fans and sponsors. According to Allard Kalff, analyst for Dutch channel Viaplay, Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff would have met with Williams top brass in Las Vegas to discuss the possible transfer of the Argentine driver.There's a lot going on behind the scenes.“, Kalff said, suggesting that the Colapinto project could involve the Racing Bulls junior team.
Colapinto represents a key figure for the South American market, an area of great interest for Red Bull, especially from a commercial perspective. After the experience with Sergio Perez, who guaranteed the team a strong presence in Mexico and the entire continent – so much so that in Spain they are sure that the Mexican will stay thanks to the sponsors – the interest in Colapinto is configured not only as a sports bet, but as a strategic move to maintain an expanding fan base and sponsors.
I can't explain it to you🎶#QatarGP 🇶🇦 #F1 #ColapintoToF1In2025 pic.twitter.com/k7d6ayvfnq
— Colapinto News🇦🇷 (@Colapinto_news) November 28, 2024
His Argentine origins have quickly made him an icon in South America. Big brands could in fact accompany the young talent in a possible transfer, filling the void that would be created if Perez were not confirmed. According to Joe Saward, “The energy drink market in Latin America is worth three billion dollars and continues to grow”. This makes a driver like Colapinto a strategic asset for the Red Bull family, especially in a period in which sponsorships play a crucial role in the teams' budget.
The next step
The negotiations are nothing new. Already during the Mexican GP, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was spotted in Williams hospitality, a sign that negotiations have been ongoing for weeks. However, the Las Vegas incident has complicated the picture, partially dampening enthusiasm for the young Argentine. Manager Campbell-Walter, while acknowledging the mistake, said: “It was his fault, and it was stupid. But Franco is resilient, and he still has a chance to prove himself in the next two weekends.”.
Colapinto's future appears closely linked to the fate of Sergio Perez, of whom a decision will be made after the Abu Dhabi GP. If the Mexican is not confirmed for 2025, Colapinto could come into play as a direct replacement or as a driver for the junior team, the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
Williams, for its part, does not appear to be willing to let him go without a substantial financial compensation or a buyout clause. This creates an additional layer of complexity in the negotiations.
Despite the accidents and difficulties, his talent and commercial appeal make him an interesting figure for the future of Formula 1. As Campbell-Walter underlined: “He has all the fundamental ingredients to become a great F1 driver. Now it depends only on him”.
