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F2 driver Franco Colapinto shuts down Red Bull rumors with bold claim

F2 driver Franco Colapinto shuts down Red Bull rumors with bold claim

Red Bull junior driver Isack Hadjar, who competes in the Formula 2 series and finishes second in the championship, has put a damper on Franco Colapinto’s prospects of securing a Red Bull seat in the future. The Williams interim driver has been linked to talks with Red Bull over a seat in 2025, but Hadjar’s revelation that he is next in line suggests Colapinto could be overlooked.

VCARB, Red Bull’s junior team, remains the only team on the F1 grid to have yet to confirm one of its drivers for the 2025 season. Red Bull is closely evaluating Liam Lawson’s performance alongside Yuki Tsunoda and considers him not only a potential candidate for the VCARB seat, but also for a place alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull if Sergio Perez is replaced due to underperformance.

Tsunoda’s contract was extended until the end of the 2025 season, but Lawson, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix, has yet to earn his extension. Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko, who supports Red Bull juniors in hiring outside talent, confirmed before Lawson signed with VCARB that he will race in one of the cars next year. He explained to Kleine Zeitung:

“Next year he will be in one of our cars.” (Translated by Google)

Commenting on the timeline for this decision, Marko said:

“A decision will be made in September.”

Marko’s timeline predictions have proven accurate before, and a similar scenario could unfold next year, with Lawson earning a promotion to Red Bull or staying at VCARB. Although Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has expressed an interest in loaning Colapinto from Williams, as speculated by his visit to Grove’s camper at Interlagos, Marko remains focused on promoting talent within Red Bull’s development programme. This approach could see Hadjar move to partner Tsunoda at VCARB if Lawson is appointed to replace Perez at Red Bull.

Hadjar has spoken similarly, suggesting the “fact” that he is “next on the list.” Speaking to Motorsport.com, as reported by RacingNews365, he said:

‘I would say at least my chances are there.

“Of course it doesn’t depend on me.

“A lot of things happen at Racing Bulls (VCARB) and Red Bull, anything can happen. And of course I’m next on the list. It’s just a fact.

“I don’t know what decisions they’ll make, but at least I’m here trying to be ready for next year, whatever happens.”