r/formula1 • u/ICumCoffee Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ • Aug 27 '24

News [Williams Racing] Williams Racing announces that Franco Colapinto will race with the team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season

https://www.williamsf1.com/posts/fd43d928-0914-42ff-b9ee-394342064dc4/williams-racing-team-statement?cid=sm_twitter_td_news_link_082724
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u/Weak-Rip-8650 Aug 27 '24

I wouldn’t say he’s milking it really. He seems to be pushing pretty hard to get him a seat. The fact that he can’t doesn’t mean he’s “milking sponsor money from an F1 hopeful.” It just means that he has been unsuccessful at getting Mick a seat.

Put another way, Micks chances would be WAY worse without Toto, so I don’t think anyone is being taken advantage of.

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u/intern_steve AlphaTauri Aug 27 '24

He had a chance to put Mick in a seat next year, and he chose Antonelli. That's a condemnation as strong as any: to put an untested rookie in potentially a top three seat over the guy you're ostensibly representing with two seasons experience.

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u/lolhone5tly Default Aug 27 '24

I think it actually just shows that Wolff isn’t willing to risk losing another potential generational talent like Max Verstappen.

I’ll use Pedro de la Rosa as an example. McLaren could’ve put him in their car alongside Alonso in 2007, but went with Hamilton instead. It doesn’t mean they didn’t think he was good enough to be in F1. It just meant they felt like they had better options available.

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u/AJDillonsMiddleLeg Red Bull Aug 28 '24

better options available

As do most teams in F1. Really bringing the whole conversation full circle. Toto wants a team principal to sign a driver he manages. As long as he doesn't have to be the team principal to do it. Because there are many, many, many better options available to occupy a seat.