Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine as a check and reserve driver after the crew reached an settlement with Williams, for whom he made his Method 1 debut final yr.
The 21-year-old impressed in his 9 appearances for the crew rather than Logan Sargeant within the second half of 2024.
Alpine has already named Pierre Gasly and newcomer Jack Doohan as its race drivers for this yr. It has additionally appointed Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa as reserve drivers, the latter introduced earlier as we speak.
Now it has additionally secured the providers of Colapinto after agreeing phrases with Williams. The motive force thanked the crew for giving him his debut within the sport.
“They made my desires come true and I’ll at all times be glad about that,” he mentioned. “I’d wish to thank the mechanics and all of the crew members who made an enormous effort to place the automobile on monitor and provides me the chance to attain factors. And to the followers, who’ve been so supportive, you’ve got been there for us within the good occasions and unhealthy; you are the greatest.”
Williams crew principal James Vowles mentioned Colapinto “clearly confirmed he’s deserving of a spot in Method 1 and we at all times mentioned we might assist him to get one.
“Williams has probably the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid for 2025 and past in Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz [Jnr], so we consider this settlement with Alpine represents Franco’s greatest likelihood of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026.
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“The Williams Racing Driver Academy exists to find and develop the F1 stars of the longer term which is precisely what it has performed in Franco’s case, and builds on our lengthy custom of giving gifted younger drivers their break on the prime stage of motorsport. We’re proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, wish to thank Franco for every little thing he has dropped at the crew and look ahead to future battles on monitor.”
Though Colapinto has joined the crew in a reserve position, his arrival will immediate hypothesis he’s being thought-about for a promotion to a race seat. Alpine moved Esteban Ocon apart one race earlier than he was as a consequence of depart, with a view to give Doohan his grand prix debut eventually yr’s season finale.
Whereas Doohan is the primary member of Alpine’s junior driver programme to race for the crew, its government advisor Flavio Briatore lavished reward on Colapinto when his transfer was introduced as we speak.
“Clearly, Franco is among the many greatest younger abilities in motorsport proper now,” mentioned Briatore. “It’s truthful to say his look on the Method 1 grid final yr caught many, me included, unexpectedly and his performances have been very spectacular for a rookie driver.
“We’ve got a watch on our future and his signing means we’ve got a terrific pool of younger drivers to name upon and work with in creating the crew for future success.”
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