Christian Horner seen leaving Williams Brazilian GP motorhome amid Franco Colapinto talks
Sergio Perez is in serious danger of losing his Red Bull Racing seat to Liam Lawson, who will be replaced at sister squad RB by Franco Colapinto if they can strike a deal with Williams
by Daniel Moxon · The MirrorChristian Horner has been spotted walking out of the Williams motorhome in the Brazilian Grand Prix paddock.
It comes amid speculation that Red Bull are eyeing Franco Colapinto, should they decide to dispense with the struggling Sergio Perez and promote Liam Lawson to replace him. The Argentine does not have a drive for 2025 but has impressed during his temporary spell racing for Williams so far.
His boss James Vowles quipped that rival team principal Horner "really wanted to try" the coffee in their motorhome. But Mirror Sport understands that Red Bull have made Colapinto their top target and that discussions have been held between the teams over his future.
Williams have funded his progression through the junior ranks and, having discovered a hidden gem, are reluctant to allow Red Bull to take him permanently. They would prefer a loan-style arrangement, but Red Bull are resistant to that idea.
If they take Colapinto, they would want to make him a fully-fledged member of their own driver development programme. Vowles would prefer to avoid that but also said he wants to see the 21-year-old on the 2025 F1 grid, if they can make something work.
The Williams team principal said: "The best I can really tell you is we are actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well and protects all parties.
"It is never straightforward between Formula 1 teams, because you are fighting on track and you are trying to find a solution for a career of a young man. We are exploring possibilities with a number of teams that are interested at the moment and beyond there, it would be wrong to do anything more than speculate here.
"There is nothing to really communicate beyond that point. When there is I will happily talk about it, because he is an exceptional driver and I really mean that. Go look outside, and there are tens of thousands of individuals here to support a driver that has been in our championship for five races.
"He is doing an outstanding job on track and, as I have said from the very beginning, earn your position and elements will come your way. But beyond there, I think especially when we look at the fact he is a 21-year-old and my responsibility is also towards him and making sure we do the right thing.
"I want to make sure that when we have news [we will] come to the world, but there really is not much to talk about... I have responsibility both towards him and Williams, and hopefully we will have some great news to be able to talk to everyone about but today that is not available."
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