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James Vowles Backs Colapinto for Future F1 Opportunities
James Vowles, the​ head of Williams Formula 1, firmly believes that Franco Colapinto deserves an opportunity to compete next season—even if it means taking points away from his own team. Since being promoted to an F1 position following the Italian‍ Grand Prix, Colapinto has made a remarkable impression. This decision came after Vowles chose to replace Logan Sargeant due to a series of underwhelming performances and costly mistakes.
The choice to bring in the Formula 2 talent instead of opting for a seasoned driver like Mick Schumacher raised some eyebrows. Yet, just three races into his debut, it appears‌ Vowles’ judgment is paying dividends. Colapinto showcased considerable skill during these initial races; despite struggling in qualifying at Monza, he delivered an impressive 12th-place finish. He later outperformed teammate Alex Albon during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and secured his first points with an eighth-place finish.
Strong Performances and Growing Recognition
Colapinto continued to demonstrate resilience by competing closely with Sergio Perez before finishing 11th in Singapore. He heads into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix bolstered by accolades from prominent figures including the Red Bull driver himself.
However, as Williams prepares for next year with Albon joining Carlos Sainz on its roster, full-time opportunities appear limited for Colapinto at present. Nevertheless, Vowles envisions him racing again in 2025—as seats become available at teams like Sauber and Red Bull Racing.
Paving His Way onto the Grid
“It’s certainly not impossible,” remarked Vowles when asked about Colapinto’s potential placement on next year’s grid during a recent Autosport Business panel event in Austin.“It really depends on one or two other teams; without revealing too much information—he has shown that he truly deserves his spot after just a few outings.”
Vowles expressed confidence in Colapinto’s potential growth: “He’s still evolving as a driver; I expect him only to get faster from here on out—a sentiment that’s been recognized by others involved within Formula 1.”
A Promising Start in F1
Colapinto’s journey began earlier this year when he participated in FP1 at Silverstone—where Vowles immediately noted his speed but was particularly impressed by how well he maintained this performance under pressure: “When we first put him behind the wheel at Silverstone… you couldn’t help but think ‘wow’. But FP1 doesn’t come with high-stakes pressure.”
“The real test is converting that speed into results when it counts.” He added that Singapore presented one of the trickiest scenarios for new drivers—but highlighted how remarkably close-to-perfect Colapinto performed given circumstances.
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