The Formula 1 driver market is heating up for the 2025 season, with potential lineup changes that could reshape the grid. Red Bull’s latest plans might set off a major domino effect in the sport.
Red Bull is reportedly considering dropping Liam Lawson due to his underwhelming performance. The team plans to replace him with Yuki Tsunoda, a move that could be implemented as early as the Japanese Grand Prix.
However, this change will trigger another significant decision. With Tsunoda vacating his Racing Bulls seat, Red Bull is not looking at Lawson to fill the gap. Instead, the Austrian outfit is keen on signing Franco Colapinto, the promising young driver from Argentina.
If this plan materializes, Colapinto will return to Formula 1 after competing in nine races with Williams in 2024. During his time with Williams, he made a strong impression with some standout performances, despite encountering a few crashes towards the end of the season. Nevertheless, his talent and solid sponsorship backing attracted interest from multiple teams.
This caught the attention of Alpine, which signed Colapinto as a reserve driver for 2025. Initially, he was expected to replace Jack Doohan, especially given Doohan’s struggles in the early races. However, the situation has now shifted, and Colapinto may have a bigger opportunity elsewhere.
For this transfer to happen, Red Bull needs to negotiate with Alpine and also secure approval from Williams. A loan deal could be a viable solution, allowing Alpine to retain Colapinto while giving him a shot at regular race seats.
If the move goes through, the 2025 season will see Red Bull’s aggressive approach to developing young talent. The big question remains: How will Colapinto perform at Racing Bulls?