Franco Colapinto has only a slim chance of being on the grid for the 2025 season. Despite his impressive performance, the Argentine driver seems to be in the right place at the wrong time.

Williams team principal James Vowles brought Colapinto in as a replacement for Logan Sargeant, starting with the Italian GP, after Sargeant struggled to deliver consistent performances and suffered a series of crashes.

Since stepping up from Formula 2 with MP Motorsport, Colapinto has made an immediate impact, scoring five points in his first four races. He debuted with a 12th-place finish in Monza after recovering from a poor qualifying session, then at the Azerbaijan GP, he outqualified his teammate Alex Albon, finishing eighth and earning his first points. Colapinto went on to battle with Sergio Perez in Singapore, finishing 11th, and in Austin, he scored a point by finishing 10th, where he almost secured the fastest lap, which was taken from him by Esteban Ocon. His performances have generated excitement in Argentina, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali hinting that F1 could return to Argentina soon.

However, Colapinto’s future in F1 remains uncertain, as Williams has already confirmed Carlos Sainz alongside Albon for 2025. Vowles has expressed confidence in Colapinto’s talent, even suggesting he could score points for a rival team. But with limited options available, Colapinto may have to consider alternative pathways.

Currently, only two seats remain open for the 2025 season, though several factors will determine who fills them. Red Bull and its junior team RB have a history of promoting from within their ranks. While Verstappen is secure for 2025, Perez’s seat is less certain, and his future will likely be decided after the season ends.

At RB, Liam Lawson has taken over from Daniel Ricciardo, joining Yuki Tsunoda. If Perez is replaced, Lawson and Tsunoda could be eyeing a promotion to the Red Bull team, leaving a potential opening at RB for Colapinto. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has noted Colapinto’s standout performances but acknowledged that Lawson remains a strong contender for the seat.

Another option is Sauber, the only team without a finalized driver lineup for 2025. Sauber, which has yet to score points this season, is gearing up for a full rebrand as Audi in 2026. Nico Hulkenberg has been brought in to lead the team, but the announcement of his teammate is still pending. While Colapinto could be in the running, joining a team that is struggling at the back of the grid might risk damaging his growing reputation. However, Audi’s significant future investment could make the opportunity more attractive.

Colapinto isn’t the only contender for Sauber’s seat. Drivers like Gabriel Bortoleto, Theo Pourchaire, Kevin Magnussen, and Mick Schumacher are also likely to be considered.

If a full-time seat doesn’t materialize, Colapinto could accept a reserve driver role. While not as glamorous as racing, being a reserve driver would keep him close to the action and provide opportunities should a spot open mid-season.

Whatever path Colapinto chooses will be crucial for ensuring his continued rise in Formula 1.