Felipe Massa believes that Audi could seize the opportunity to sign impressive Formula 1 rookie Franco Colapinto for the 2025 season.
The 21-year-old's future remains uncertain, with the last available seat on the 2025 grid still up for grabs. Williams boss James Vowles recently indicated that he is open to loaning Colapinto to Audi-owned Sauber for the upcoming season and 2026.
"I don't know what I'm going to do next year," admitted Colapinto, who replaced Logan Sargeant mid-season but will need to vacate the cockpit to make way for Carlos Sainz at the end of the year. "I want to stay with Williams, I like the team, the way they operate," the Argentine added.
"I would love to drive for them in the future. If not, I don't know what my options are, but my plan A is to stay with the team. They invested a lot in me when I was racing in the junior categories, and I'm grateful for that."
Vowles has suggested that Colapinto could simply serve as Williams' reserve driver in 2024, with Valtteri Bottas considered the frontrunner to retain his race seat at Sauber.
However, former F1 driver Massa thinks Colapinto may be the more promising choice.
"It's really impressive what he's doing as a driver with no Formula 1 experience. He's quite mature," Massa said in an interview with Marca sports newspaper.
"He was quite aggressive at the start in Singapore, but there were no incidents. So, in the end, you have to show who you are," Massa added.
Massa highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Audi's 2025 lineup. "We have to see who gets the opportunity to go to Audi, because Williams already has two drivers under contract. But maybe some surprises can happen – you never know in Formula 1," said the former Ferrari and Williams driver.
He also emphasized the significance of Colapinto's presence in F1 for Argentina. "I think Argentina definitely has a driver who can be in Formula 1 for a long time and also be competitive. It's a fantastic motivation for Argentina as well, as there is a very big crisis there that has shaken the country for years. So when you see what (Lionel) Messi is doing, what sport does for the people, for the fans, for the country, I think it's an incredible feeling," Massa concluded.
