Franco Colapinto Takes Reserve Role at Alpine After Williams Departure

Franco Colapinto, the promising Argentine driver, has officially signed a multi-year deal to join Alpine as their reserve driver, following his departure from Williams at the end of the last season. The 21-year-old made a notable impression during his nine-race stint with Williams, filling in after the team released American driver Logan Sargeant.

Alpine successfully negotiated to free Colapinto from his long-term development contract with Williams, who, having secured Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, had no race seat available for him this season.

Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive adviser, praised Colapinto, saying, "Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. His debut on the F1 grid last year was impressive and caught many by surprise. We are committed to building a strong future, and his talent adds to our pool of young drivers for upcoming success."

In response to his transition, Colapinto expressed gratitude towards Williams, stating, "Williams turned my dream of racing in F1 into reality, and I will always be grateful for that. Now, it is time for a new chapter, and taking on this challenge with Alpine is truly an honour."

With a formidable lineup including Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, Williams' team principal James Vowles acknowledged Colapinto’s potential, suggesting that this move to Alpine represents his best opportunity for a race seat in 2025 or 2026.

Colapinto will participate in various grands prix and share testing duties with fellow drivers Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa, further solidifying his place within the team.

Impressively, Colapinto made his F1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix in September 2024, adapting quickly to the rigors of Formula 1, despite facing challenges in the Brazilian and Las Vegas races. Interest from sponsors in Argentina has also boosted his marketability, making him an attractive prospect for teams like Red Bull, although their interest diminished after his previous race difficulties.

Although the announcement did not confirm a future race seat for Colapinto, his addition to Alpine puts pressure on the current rookie driver, Jack Doohan. Doohan, the son of legendary MotoGP champion Mick Doohan, had a challenging start in his F1 career but remains under the spotlight.

With Alpine’s strategic recruitment, including talented drivers like Hirakawa and Aron, Colapinto’s signing strengthens the team’s depth and options moving forward in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.