James Vowles, the Team Principal of Williams F1, recently put to bed rumors surrounding Franco Colapinto’s promotion to the team. Speculation had suggested that Colapinto’s team had shelled out a hefty $500,000 per race for his seat, but Vowles quickly denied these claims. He emphasized that Colapinto’s rise was entirely based on his skills and performance, not on any sponsorship agreements.
This move showcases Williams’ dedication to developing talent from within. Vowles explained that when Colapinto was signed, the team was not aware of any impending sponsorship deals.
While Argentine companies have shown interest in sponsoring the team recently, Vowles made it clear that this had no influence on Colapinto’s promotion.
Colapinto, a talented driver from Argentina competing in Formula 2, will take over from Logan Sargeant for the last nine races of the 2024 season, following Sargeant’s departure after a serious crash at the Dutch Grand Prix.
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With Sargeant’s exit and the introduction of the revamped FW46 car, the stage is set for an exciting debut for Colapinto.
Addressing financial rumors with Planet F1 and other outlets, Vowles stated, “I want to make it clear that no sponsorship influenced his signing.” He continued, noting that they were unaware of any sponsorship potential when they decided to bring him on board.
He also shared that many Argentine companies are expressing interest in sponsoring Williams, wanting to be part of Colapinto’s journey, but this interest developed after his signing.
Williams remains committed to nurturing their academy and investing in future talent. Vowles mentioned that they had passed on substantial financial offers, asserting that their focus is on long-term growth rather than immediate financial gain.
“To be frank, there were other financial offers on the table, but we prioritized our academy and our future,” he said.
Expect to see new Argentine sponsorships making their debut around the Baku Grand Prix, with Vowles revealing that they’re getting a lot of inquiries from companies back home. However, he reiterated that Colapinto’s selection was unrelated to any financial backing.
There had been speculation about other potential drivers like Red Bull’s Liam Lawson and Mercedes reserve Mick Schumacher joining Williams. However, Vowles was keen on promoting talent from their own development program.
Moving forward, Carlos Sainz from Ferrari will join Alex Albon in 2025, which reflects Williams’ ongoing effort to build a solid and competitive team.