Schumacher: Red Bull will seek outside solution to F1 problem

Ralf Schumacher expects Red Bull to fix its F1 driver line up problems with an external driver, arguing that Franco Colapinto is "fixed" for a seat at either of its two teams next season.

The 49-year-old believes the Argentine "deserves his chance" at a full-time drive in F1, having taken the paddock by storm since stepping into the Williams seat vacated by Logan Sargeant.

His promotion, and instant success, came as a surprise to both Schumacher and the F1 world at large, with the German's nephew, Mick, regarded as a front-runner for the call up.

Colapinto was in the midst of a solid, if unspectacular, rookie F2 season but quickly showed his could live with the pace of F1.

Working his way through the field on debut at the Italian Grand Prix was followed up with points-scoring finishes in Baku and Austin, but with Carlos Sainz already signed, Colapinto's F1 future looks poised to be away from Williams.

With Sergio Perez looking increasingly uncertain to remain with Red Bull, and in F1 more generally, there is the opportunity for either Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda to step up to partner Max Verstappen.

Williams team principal James Vowles has actively sought a home for Colapinto and the 21-year-old has been heavily linked to the would-be vacancy at RB.

To Schumacher, it is already one step further, suggesting the move is as good as a done.

"From my point of view, Colapinto is fixed," the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver told Formel1.de. "There was a lot of interest, even from the highest level, but outside of Helmut Marko. He obviously likes to serve his own team.

"The boy did a great job. And I'll be honest, I didn't expect it. He wasn't that outstanding in F2, but it's still nice to see that he made such an impact, so he definitely deserves the chance.

"Sergio Perez is just so far gone at the moment, it would be nice to see a young man get the chance. With everything he's added, he's really done a great job. He deserves his chance."

Red Bull or RB

Colapinto's promotion to F1 has been met by significant fanfare in Argentina. He is the first driver from the South American nation to compete in the so-called pinnacle of motorsport in over two decades.

With that support comes the potential for considerable financial backing, something that could ease the sponsorship loss of letting Sergio Perez go.

That has partly fuelled speculation that Red Bull could look to parachute Colapinto straight into the seat alongside Verstappen, and whilst that still remains unlikely, Schumacher does not believe that final call has been made.

"That's a good question," he responded when asked if Colapinto will drive for Red Bull or RB in 2025, before addressing some of the factors at play.

"I think internally they are not quite sure about that yet. There are rumours that things are still not quite ideal between Christian Horner and Marko.

"On top of that there's father [Jos] Verstappen, who's not too happy with the whole situation either.

"And there is the pressure of third place in the championship, if they are unlucky. So Red Bull has a lot to figure out at the moment. That's why I'm curious to see who gets the upper hand."

Colapinto's way in to a seat at either Red Bull team is dependant on the future of Perez, with Lawson and Tsunoda almost certain to form the RB line up if the Mexican stays put.

"But I'm pretty sure he [Colapinto] will get a chance to be in one car or the other," Schumacher added.

"And as for Sergio Perez, you hear all kinds of things. You hear: 'he's gone,' but then Checo says: 'no, I'm staying.' So then you hear him say 'yes'.

"He still wants to take his money, has a contract and of course he's not going to give that up voluntarily.

"I'm also curious to see what happens. But I also think that the race in Sao Paulo has shown again that maybe it is time for another racing series."