Lewis Hamilton has backed Franco Colapinto for a 2025 Formula 1 seat after impressing in just a short space of time with Williams, Afrosport reports.
The 21-year-old Argentinian replaced the underperforming Logan Sargeant from the Italian Grand Prix in September and has scored five points across two of the five Grands Prix and also out-perform his more established teammate Alex Albon.
Colapinto will not have a seat at Williams next year with Carlos Sainz joining the Grove-based team following Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari from Mercedes.
The only available seat is at Sauber with their driver line-up yet to be decided. However, it has emerged that Colapinto could be an option for Red Bull as Sergio Perez continues to struggle in the RB20 this year.
“I think he’s done an incredible job,” Hamilton said ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
“Last minute to be called upon and thrown into the deep end in this sport. The majority of us, if we’re lucky to get in the sport we have a bit of run up. If you look at young Kimi [Antonelli] for example, he’s got a lot of test days before his first race.
“I think he will have over 20 days or something in the car, which is unprecedented. As for this guy here, he didn’t have that. He just jumped straight in and did a fantastic job. It’s always great to see young talented individuals come through and get the opportunity to shine.
“I think he did that in the first race. We had a great little battle. It was super safe. It was hard but fair and I think he’s earned his right to be here. There’s still a seat available. He’s saying it’s not for him to decide but my advice would be, to be pushing and doing absolutely everything…
“At the end of the day he’s just got to focus on doing his job every weekend, as he is. Hopefully, he’s got good people behind him who are doing the right job to make sure that he’s here racing next year.”
Back home 🙏 pic.twitter.com/VqQkHVK828
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 31, 2024
Hamilton is a three-time winner at Interlagos, claiming victories in 2016, 2018 and 2021.
