Williams could be completely satisfied to assist rookie Franco Colapinto discover a race seat in Method 1 subsequent season and are open to conversations with Sauber, staff boss James Vowles stated on Friday.

Swiss-based Sauber, who will grow to be the Audi manufacturing unit staff in 2026, have but to verify their second driver for subsequent season with a number of names within the body.

Editor’s Picks

2 Associated

Vowles advised Reuters on the Singapore Grand Prix that he had not had any direct talks with newly appointed Sauber boss Mattia Binotto, aside from a dialog in Monza — Colapinto’s F1 debut after changing dropped American Logan Sargeant.

“From our perspective, Franco is an unimaginable driver on the grid that’s proving himself towards Alex, who’s a benchmark driver,” Vowles stated.

“From their perspective, in the event that they needed to, we might be open to conversations round it. It is for them to resolve, it is their choice for 2025 and past, however from my perspective, I believe he’d be a really invaluable asset.”

Colapinto, 21, earned loads of plaudits ultimately weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix the place he completed eighth in solely his second outing, qualifying forward of established teammate Alex Albon who got here in seventh.

The factors catapulted Williams forward of Renault-owned Alpine to eighth within the standings.

“Franco was an unknown entity, however we knew what he might do behind the scenes,” Vowles stated.

“When you have a look at his profession, he is by no means fairly had the time to even do follow classes. He is at all times been in a staff the place somebody has very kindly simply financed him on the final second.

“However each time he is carried out, and he is doing an distinctive job. He is worthy of his place in Method One.”

Vowles stated Sauber, the one staff aside from Purple Bull-owned RB but to verify their full 2025 line-up, had the luxurious of ready to see how Colapinto fares in his upcoming races earlier than making a choice.

F1 has six rounds of races, together with three dash occasions, after Singapore earlier than the season concludes in early December.

“If I used to be them, I would take the time to see how Franco performs towards the following two races, possibly a little bit bit greater than that, then decide,” Vowles stated.

Sauber’s different choices embrace their present lineup of skilled Finn Valtteri Bottas of Finland and China’s Zhou Guanyu, in addition to Brazilian F2 chief Gabriel Bortoleto, who’s a part of McLaren’s driver growth programme.