Fresh twist for Red Bull: Williams set a huge price for the release of Colapinto

It is claimed Williams will not agree to sign Franco Colapinto for less than €20 million amid interest from Red Bull for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Colapinto has impressed since replacing Logan Sargeant ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, scoring points in just his second Formula One appearance at the challenging Baku street circuit in Azerbaijan.

Formula 1 rumor: Williams demands 20 million euros from Red Bull for Franco Colapinto

Additional reporting by Thomas Maher

The Argentine followed that up with an impressive 10th place finish at last month’s US Grand Prix, with Colapinto winning plenty of fans since his surprise debut.

With Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon already signed to race for the team in Formula 1 2025, Williams Team boss James Vowles has indicated he is willing to allow Colapinto to pursue opportunities with other teams next season to progress through the ranks.

AND Red Bull have become one of the interested parties, with Alpine also reportedly keeping an eye on the 21-year-old.

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Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, was spotted leaving the Williams hotel complex ahead of practice for last weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

PlanetF1.com understands Horner has met with Vowles to discuss a deal for Colapinto and talks are ongoing but the deal is far from finalized at this stage.

It is unclear whether Red Bull plans to place Colapinto in the VCARB junior team if negotiations prove successful, but there is speculation that he could even replace Sergio Perez as a teammate of three-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing as soon as F1 2025.

Despite signing a new two-year contract in June, Red Bull are likely to drop Perez from Formula 1 2025 after a disastrous season, with the Mexican trailing Verstappen by 242 points with three races remaining.

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko confirmed that a decision on Perez’s future will be made at the end of Formula 1 2024.

Marco recently expressed concern that Colapinto’s long-term contract with Williams could prove a major barrier to signing the youngster for next season.

And the Italian report La Gazetta dello Sport has shed light on Williams’ demands to release Colapinto from his contract, with the Grove outfit reportedly demanding a fee of €20 million.

Horner dropped his biggest hint yet that Red Bull are interested in signing Colapinto in Brazil over the weekend, comparing his influence at Williams to that of fellow youngsters Liam Lawson and Oliver Birman at VCARB and Haas respectively.

Asked about Colapinto’s potential move after the Interlagos sprint race, he said: “I think it’s great to see these juniors doing a great job.

“Obviously we have Liam Lawson at VCARB who is doing a really good job. Oliver Bearman deserves praise today because he was impressive.

“I think Franco, again, is a guy who is doing very, very well.

“Of course you always keep an eye on the driver market and I think Franco definitely has the qualities to be a potential star of the future.”

Horner’s comments come after Vowles hinted that Colapinto’s future was likely to be decided before the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next month.

Speaking at a team bosses’ press conference in Sao Paulo, he said: “The best thing I can tell you is that we are actively working with the teams that are interested to try to find the right formation that will help Franco, that will also protect Franco.” and protects all parties.

“So it’s very similar to these lines. It’s the same concept behind it.

“It’s never easy between Formula 1 teams because you’re fighting on the track and trying to find a solution for a young man’s career, but he’s earned his place.

“He needs to do more on the fly to continue to earn his place as a result of everything, but he is shining and that is why there is interest from teams and our responsibility in this as I have a responsibility to both him and Williams and, hopefully we will have some great news that I can talk to everyone about. But today this is not available.

“Things like this are always difficult to do because you’re talking about multiple teams talking together.

“But I am confident that this will be something we will be successful in before the last race of the season.

“But I’m really having a hard time pinpointing where it is between those two time frames.”