Alpine have introduced the signing of Franco Colapinto after reaching an settlement with F1 rivals Williams.
Colapinto joins Alpine as a take a look at and reserve driver for the 2025 season having signed what has been described as being a “multi-year” deal.
The 21-year-old Argentinian had been closely linked with a transfer to Alpine over latest weeks.
Colapinto made a direct impression in F1 when he was drafted in by Williams to switch the underperforming Logan Sargeant from final yr’s Italian Grand Prix.
He reached Q3 and scored factors in simply his second race in Azerbaijan and his spectacular early shows caught the eye of the likes of Pink Bull and Alpine.
He did not safe a full-time drive for 2025 after a collection of late-season crashes took a few of the shine off his performances, however Colapinto might have now secured a pathway again to the F1 grid.
“I’m tremendous excited to have the chance to affix BWT Alpine Method One Workforce,” Colapinto stated. “To start with, I wish to say thanks to Williams for all their assist from the second I joined the Academy till the final race in Abu Dhabi.
“They turned my dream of racing in Method One into actuality, and I’ll all the time be glad about that. Now, it’s time for a brand new chapter, and to tackle this problem with BWT Alpine Method One Workforce is actually an honour. An enormous thanks to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the workforce with open arms.
“I can not wait to get began and see the place this journey takes us. Additionally, an enormous thanks to all my sponsors and companions who stood by me by means of the challenges of the 2024 season.”
Alpine govt advisor Flavio Briatore stated: “We’re more than happy to come back to an settlement with Williams Racing to signal Franco Colapinto. Clearly, Franco is among the many greatest younger abilities in motorsport proper now.
‘It’s honest to say his look on the Method One grid final yr caught many, me included, abruptly and his performances have been very spectacular for a rookie driver. We’ve got a watch on our future and his signing means we now have a fantastic pool of younger drivers to name upon and work with in creating the workforce for future success.”
Strain on Doohan
Jack Doohan is already underneath strain to maintain his F1 seat
Information of Colapinto’s arrival at Alpine will heap early strain on F1 rookie Jack Doohan.
Doohan made his grand prix debut with Alpine on the season finale in Abu Dhabi following Esteban Ocon’s untimely exit and was signed to race alongside Pierre Gasly in 2025.
Nonetheless, it’s understood Doohan solely signed a short-term contract with Alpine, giving the French producer an choice to doubtlessly make a driver change if required.
Securing Colapinto’s providers will present Alpine with a recognized back-up in the event that they deem Doohan’s early performances to be unsatisfactory.
