In motorsports, the performance of both drivers and their cars is crucial. When a car underperforms, it can jeopardize a driver’s career. Recently, Red Bull Racing announced a surprising development for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite Sergio Pérez signing a contract extension earlier this year, team boss Christian Horner confirmed Pérez would no longer drive for the team after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This raises the pressing question: who will replace Pérez?
Possible Candidates for Red Bull
A few names have been floated as potential replacements. Liam Lawson, who temporarily filled in for Daniel Ricciardo at the U.S. Grand Prix, is a strong contender. Another candidate, Franco Colapinto from Williams Racing, was also considered, but his crash-filled season has reportedly disqualified him from the role. Colapinto’s numerous accidents have strained Williams’ budget, leaving Red Bull reluctant to take a chance on him.
Pérez’s Decline and Red Bull’s Decision
.@RedBull was pursuing Franco Colapinto for a ride next year before his “expensive” crashes at Brazil and Las @Vegas caused the organization to change course, per @ESPN. https://t.co/Xc6VrahjHR
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 3, 2024
Sergio Pérez’s performance in 2024 has been underwhelming. He has not finished in the top six since the Miami Grand Prix in May and is a staggering 227 points behind teammate Max Verstappen. This gap is the largest ever between a world champion and their teammate under the current points system. Red Bull’s management has thus begun carefully evaluating potential replacements, starting by removing Franco Colapinto from consideration.
Franco Colapinto’s Troubles
Colapinto, a rookie for Williams Racing, initially seemed like a promising option for Red Bull. However, his performance took a turn for the worse with several high-profile incidents, including a 50G crash during qualifying in Las Vegas. In Brazil, Colapinto also crashed during a rain-affected qualifying session, adding to Williams’ woes.
These incidents were not isolated; they were part of a pattern throughout the season. Colapinto was involved in 16 crashes in 2024, costing Williams over $10 million in repairs. The financial strain forced the team to use its future budget to recover from these losses.
Impact on Williams Racing
Williams Racing boss James Vowles highlighted the financial and logistical toll of Colapinto’s crashes. He noted that the team had to divert resources from its 2025 preparations to deal with the damage. This setback was compounded by the high frequency of incidents toward the end of the season, with six crashes occurring in the last three races alone.
Vowles acknowledged the challenges posed by the lack of spare parts, stating that teams typically maintain a limited stock of components. Colapinto’s crashes exceeded those limits, forcing the team to scramble for repairs. Vowles admitted that these distractions have impacted the team’s focus on future seasons.
Colapinto’s Perspective and Future
Colapinto himself admitted the difficulties he faced in 2024. He reflected on the pressure of racing with limited spare parts and acknowledged the team’s efforts to support him. Despite these challenges, he expressed a determination to push forward.
Red Bull’s Christian Horner left the door open for Colapinto’s future in Formula 1, stating that he remains a talented driver with potential. However, his current reputation as an accident-prone driver has damaged his immediate prospects with both Red Bull and Williams.
Conclusion
Franco Colapinto’s tumultuous season has significantly impacted his standing in Formula 1. While he demonstrated flashes of potential, his crashes and the resulting financial strain on Williams have made teams wary of investing in him. As Red Bull and other teams evaluate their options for the future, Colapinto’s journey highlights the harsh realities of competing at the highest level of motorsport.