Colapinto insists his goal is to stay in F1 as he responds to 2025 Sauber links

Franco Colapinto has reiterated that his goal is to remain in Formula 1 beyond 2024 as speculation continues over his future amid his impressive performances at Williams since stepping in for the second half of the season.

After making his debut at the Italian Grand Prix in place of Logan Sargeant, Colapinto has gone on to enjoy some strong weekends which has included two points finishes in Baku and Austin, helping Williams to stay ahead of Alpine in P8 of the constructors’ standings.

With the Grove-based team’s driver line-up locked in for next year and beyond – as Carlos Sainz arrives to join the incumbent Alex Albon from 2025 onwards – there is no space available for Colapinto, but the Argentinian’s name has been linked with the vacant spot at the Sauber/Audi outfit.

During an appearance on The Fast and the Curious podcast, Colapinto was quizzed on whether this might be a viable possibility for the future.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Franco Colapinto of Argentina driving the (45) Williams FW45 Mercedes — Colapinto has scored points on two occasions since stepping in at Williams for the remainder of the season

“I don’t know, I have no idea about what’s possible, what’s not possible,” the 21-year-old answered, before joking: “Maybe you should ask James [Vowles], he has been speaking a lot about it!”

While Colapinto’s focus remains on the next few races with Williams, he also made clear that his target is to still be in F1 going forward.

“It’s my dream to stay in Formula 1 and that’s what I’m working for,” the driver explained. “I am going race by race and this year I got an amazing opportunity that I took with both hands, but my goal is to stay in Formula 1 – I came to stay, and that’s the reality.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 17: Franco Colapinto of Argentina and Williams talks to the media in the — Colapinto insists that his focus is on the final races of the 2024 season rather than thinking too much about his future

“I am giving my best to try to show everybody what I am capable of and that I deserve a seat in Formula 1. I’m doing well at the moment so that’s all going in the right direction.

“But of course, [from] the seat point of view, I think it’s looking very tough for next year.

“I’m not thinking about 2025, not really – I’m fully focused on this year and what we have to do about the great opportunity that I have for 2024 and to finish the year on a high, and then we will see what I do in 2025.

“There is time to think in December, when the year finishes, [about] what I’m going to do.”