Axed F1 star admits rival team interest after Red Bull rejection

kevin magnussen, sergio perez, franco colapinto, mexican gp, 2024, canva — Photo: © IMAGO

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Axed F1 star admits rival team interest after Red Bull rejection

Red Bull's driver changes have completed the 2025 grid

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Friday 27 December 2024 17:59

An axed Formula 1 star has discussed their future in a new role following a rejection from Red Bull, teasing a potential team switch for 2025.

Red Bull have amended their driver lineup for next season, following the poor performances of Sergio Perez which led to a third-place finish in the constructors’ despite star man Max Verstappen securing the drivers' title once again.

F1 HEADLINES: Major Ricciardo statement made as 2025 signing announced

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Liam Lawson has since replaced the struggling Perez, following months of speculation about who would obtain the Red Bull seat.

Whilst the final shortlist was narrowed down to Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, another name was initially tied to the drive.

Yuki Tsunoda missed out on the Red Bull seat

Will Colapinto return to F1?

Following his impressive debut with Williams, Franco Colapinto was tipped to join Red Bull but promptly disappeared from the conversation after a series of crashes at the end of the season.

As Colapinto makes way for Carlos Sainz at the team for next season, the Williams star has failed to earn a spot on the grid next year after Isack Hadjar was confirmed at VCARB.

The Argentine driver has since discussed his new F1 role following his rejection from Red Bull, and teased a return with Williams.

"I think I'm going to be a Williams reserve driver in 2025," Colapinto said, as reported by La Nacion.

"With Red Bull Racing there were talks after my first races, but they have a very strong driver academy, they need to show that it works, that they have candidates to get into any of the four cars, and when you set a price for a driver, like Williams did with me, the negotiations start to go down a different road."

However, Colapinto remained hopeful about a full-time F1 return and looked towards a potential seat at Alpine.

Franco Colapinto discusses 2025 F1 plans

"You have to wait and always be prepared, because I didn't have a seat for 2025 and I ended up racing in 2024 in F1.

"There are a lot of dynamics, there are situations that arise and make things happen, like my nine races this year.

"At Alpine they have the drivers under contract. That's why I say that my situation is that of a reserve driver at Williams... maybe a place can open up in the middle of the season, like this year."

Red Bull Max Verstappen Daniel Ricciardo Sergio Perez Yuki Tsunoda Liam Lawson