Franco Colapinto has been signed by Alpine as one in every of its reserve drivers for 2025 with a multi-year deal, because the long-term future of recent signing Jack Doohan hangs within the steadiness after only one Formulation 1 race.
The Argentine has been prised away from the Williams academy after a profitable opening stint to his F1 profession, as he scored 5 factors within the 9 grands prix he competed in after changing Logan Sargeant.
Having impressed on his transfer to F1, Colapinto was thought-about as an possibility for Purple Bull as a alternative for Sergio Perez or for a vacant seat at Racing Bulls, however this curiosity was not adopted up on.
Colapinto had since been linked to Alpine as a potential alternative for Doohan, who made his personal F1 debut on the 2024 Abu Dhabi finale as Esteban Ocon was launched from his contract early.
With options that Doohan has solely been signed to a short-term race contract, Alpine’s hiring of Colapinto offers it insurance coverage if the Australian doesn’t impress within the opening rounds of 2025.
“We’re very happy to return to an settlement with Williams Racing to signal Franco Colapinto,” stated Alpine’s government advisor Flavio Briatore.
“Clearly, Franco is among the many finest younger abilities in motorsport proper now. It’s honest to say his look on the Formulation One grid final 12 months caught many, me included, abruptly and his performances have been very spectacular for a rookie driver.
“We’ve an eye fixed on our future and his signing means we have now a fantastic pool of younger drivers to name upon and work with in growing the staff for future success.”
Jack Doohan, Alpine F1 Crew
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Williams staff principal James Vowles acknowledged that the staff agreed to launch Colapinto having felt that it was his finest likelihood of securing a long-term race seat within the close to future.
The Grove staff had already secured the futures of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon earlier than Colapinto entered the stage in 2024.
“We’re happy to have reached an settlement with Alpine for Franco to hitch the staff on a multi-year association beginning in 2025,” stated Vowles.
“Over 9 memorable races with Williams he clearly confirmed he’s deserving of a spot in Formulation 1 and we all the time stated we might help him to get one.
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“Williams has some of the formidable driver line-ups on the grid for 2025 and past in Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, so we consider this settlement with Alpine represents Franco’s finest likelihood of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026.
“We’re proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, wish to thank Franco for every little thing he has delivered to the staff and stay up for future battles on monitor.”
Alpine had beforehand signed ex-Mercedes junior Paul Aron to a reserve driver contract, after he impressed in his rookie F2 season by briefly contending for the title earlier than ending third.
The Estonian was driving for Hitech, the squad owned by Alpine staff principal Oliver Oakes, and got here into the fold extremely regarded by the Briton.
Ryo Hirakawa was additionally unveiled as a part of Alpine’s reserve pool earlier on Thursday, because the Japanese driver left his function at McLaren to supply his experience to the French outfit.
On this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Formulation 1
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
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