Alpine has secured the services of Argentine driver Franco Colapinto as its test and reserve driver for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The 21-year-old, who made headlines with his dynamic debut for Williams last season, will now provide crucial support to Alpine’s race team, which features Pierre Gasly and rookie Jack Doohan.
Colapinto’s rollercoaster debut
Colapinto burst onto the F1 scene last year, replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams following the team’s decision to part ways with the American driver. Williams’ team principal, James Vowles, cited Sargeant’s limitations and a string of costly crashes as reasons for the move.
The young Argentine impressed immediately, scoring points in Azerbaijan and the United States during his first four races. His performances sparked excitement in Argentina and across Latin America, with sponsors eager to capitalise on his growing popularity.
However, the promising start was marred by high-profile incidents in São Paulo and Las Vegas, which strained Williams’ limited resources. These setbacks saw Colapinto miss out on a potential move to Racing Bulls, leaving his F1 future uncertain.
A new chapter at Alpine
Alpine, undeterred by Colapinto’s mixed debut season, maintained interest in the young driver. Their persistence has now resulted in a multi-year agreement, bringing Colapinto to the team in a test and reserve capacity. His signing follows the earlier announcement of Japanese driver Ryō Hirakawa in a similar role.
James Vowles, Williams’ team principal, expressed his support for Colapinto’s move to Alpine, saying, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Alpine for Franco to join the team on a multi-year arrangement starting in 2025.”
“Over nine memorable races with Williams, he clearly showed he is deserving of a place in Formula 1, and we always said we would support him to get one.”
“Williams has one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid for 2025 and beyond in Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, so we believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco’s best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026.”
“The Williams Racing Driver Academy exists to discover and develop the F1 stars of the future, which is exactly what it has done in Franco’s case. It builds on our long tradition of giving talented young drivers their break at the top level of motorsport. We are proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, want to thank Franco for everything he has brought to the team, and look forward to future battles on track.”
Colapinto’s gratitude
Reflecting on his time at Williams, Colapinto expressed heartfelt thanks to the team that gave him his Formula 1 debut. “I want to say a big thanks to Williams Racing and the team partners, who supported me from the moment I joined the Academy and gave me the opportunity of becoming a Formula 1 driver”, he said. “They made my dreams come true, and I will always be grateful for that.”
“I’d like to thank the mechanics and all the team members who made a massive effort to put the car on track and give me the opportunity to score points. And to the fans, who have been so supportive, you have been there for us in the good times and bad; you are the best.”
A multi-faceted role at Alpine
As Alpine’s test and reserve driver, Colapinto will take on various responsibilities. These include attending multiple Grands Prix throughout the year, contributing to the team’s driver-in-loop simulator work at its Enstone headquarters, and participating in the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) Programme alongside Paul Aron and Ryō Hirakawa.
Reflecting on this new opportunity, Colapinto said, “I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team. First of all, I want to say thank you to Williams for all their support from the moment I joined the Academy until the last race in Abu Dhabi. They turned my dream of racing in Formula One into reality, and I will always be grateful for that.”
“Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula One Team is truly an honour. A huge thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the team with open arms. I cannot wait to get started and see where this journey takes us.”
“Also, a massive thank you to all my sponsors and partners who stood by me through the challenges of the 2024 season. Your support made it all possible, and to my incredible fans in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your passion and encouragement mean the world to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond.”
Briatore’s vision for Colapinto
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor, emphasised the team’s excitement about securing Colapinto. “We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto. Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now,” he remarked.
“It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula One grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise, and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver. We have an eye on our future, and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success.”
Colapinto’s arrival at Alpine places him as a potential contender for a full-time seat in the future. While Jack Doohan faces the pressure of performing in his rookie year, Colapinto will use this opportunity to further develop his skills and prove his readiness for a race seat.
