Bad news for Franco Colapinto: the door to Formula 1 was closed on him :: Ole

Franco Colapinto received some bad news this Wednesday in hopes of getting a place in Formula 1 2025 and will thus continue his career with Maxima, which has already competed in five Grands Prix. The native of Pilar seemed to be one of the candidates for an empty place on the grid, but he will not take it…

There was a team with a vacant position, i.e. Sauberwhere is the finnish race taking place today? Valtteri Bottas and Chinese Guanyu Zhouwho remained on the sidelines for the next season. It was already known that one of the replacements was German Nico Hulkenberg (now at Haas)and today he met his partner: a Brazilian Gabriel Bortoletowhich thus debuts in the Maxima.

“Every driver dreams of one day becoming a Formula 1 driver,” Bortoleto thanked him in a team post on Instagram.

The 20-year-old driver, born in Sao Paulo and who competed in the last Interlagos Grand Prix in his hometown, He became the Formula 3 champion in 2023 and is the leader of the current Formula 2 season.

where he aims to win the title in his first year.

Here, Eight-year drought without Brazilians in Formula 1 will endsince the departure of Felipe Massa in 2017. A very iron country, Brazil, has three Formula 1 champions in its history: Emerson Fittipaldi (72 and 74), Nelson Piquet (81, 83 and 87) and Ayrton Senna (88, 90 and 91).

The team he joined as director Mattia Binotto (formerly Ferrari) and which will become Audi in 2026, there were several options, among them the Argentine driver who has made a big impression since his arrival at Williams.

From the need to continue working at Maxim and with Carlos Sainz hired by Williams to partner Alex Albon next yearhis own James Vowlesthe head of the English team, began negotiations with Sauber about obtaining a “loan” so that Colapinto would compete next year with the team that ranks last in the 2024 championship.

At the same time, Sauber began to evaluate other options, such as the German Mick SchumacherMercedes reserve, and even its junior, a Frenchman Theo Pourcher.

Meanwhile, Bortoleto’s name began to be heard, promoting his F3 and F2 performances and being promoted by the current Spanish driver’s A14 racing agency. Fernando Alonsoand McLaren, as the Brazilian was part of the British team’s development program.

As a result, Sauber chose Bortoleto and discarded other options (Williams does not want to part with Colapinto, his pearl) when it was decided that his new pilot should come direct rather than on loan

. This is how a Brazilian comes, separated from McLaren (this is how he brought this team out of Alpine Oscar Piastri) and arrives without any other connections to Sauber.

Objectively, Today there is only one place for Franco.who would not be busy with it. There are 19 drivers with a contract and there is a vacancy in the Republic of Belarus (Racing Bulls from 2025), which is looking for a partner for the Japanese. Yuki Tsunoda. Actually he already has it, he’s New Zealander Liam Lawsonreplaced it a couple of races ago Daniel Ricciardoand he does it very well.

The problem arises because Red Bull, the team that owns and operates RB, is considering leaving Sergio Perezcurrent partner Max Verstappenwho is going through a weak moment and has not been on the podium for 16 races. The departure of the Mexican, who has another year on contract, will see Lawson promoted and leave a vacancy at the Racing Bulls. Colapinto will enter there, although RB should spend a decent amount of money on Williams. If not, then a Frenchman is a natural candidate. Isaac HadjarMember of the Austrian national team academy.

Obviously, The fact that Bortoleto signed with Sauber is bad news for Franco.for which Maxima’s doors will close in 2025. If that’s the case, he’ll remain Williams’ backup, waiting for another chance like the one he took this year. Because, let us remember, the 21-year-old pilot from Pilar came to F1 for the last races of the year as a replacement for the American. Logan Sargeant

who spent his time destroying the Williams the Argentine was driving, and is now driven by the Argentine.