Franco Colapinto has signed with the Alpine Method 1 staff, initially as a reserve driver, after an settlement was reached with former staff Williams.
Alpine has moved to safe Colapinto’s companies after a powerful stint racing for Williams on the finish of 2024, when he scored 5 factors in his first 4 races for the staff. The ultimate 5 rounds of the season have been outlined by some heavy crashes however the Argentine’s potential — each from a sporting and industrial standpoint — earned him curiosity from a number of groups, and Alpine has now confirmed he’ll turn out to be a part of its line-up in 2025 on a multi-year deal.
“We’re more than happy to come back to an settlement with Williams Racing to signal Franco Colapinto,” govt advisor Flavio Briatore mentioned. “Clearly, Franco is among the many finest younger abilities in motorsport proper now. It’s truthful to say his look on the Method 1 grid final 12 months caught many, me included, abruptly and his performances have been very spectacular for a rookie driver.
“We’ve got an eye fixed on our future and his signing means we have now an awesome pool of younger drivers to name upon and work with in growing the staff for future success.”
Not solely did Colapinto impress behind the wheel, he additionally supplied Argentina with its first race driver in F1 in 23 years and helped show the numerous curiosity that exists from his house nation.
“I’m tremendous excited to have the chance to affix BWT Alpine Method 1 tam,” Colapinto mentioned. “To begin 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 1 into actuality, and I’ll at all times be pleased about that.
“Now, it’s time for a brand new chapter, and to tackle this problem with BWT Alpine Method 1 Staff is really an honor. An enormous thanks to Luca [de Meo], Flavio and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the staff 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 way of the challenges of the 2024 season. Your assist made all of it potential, and to my unbelievable followers in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your ardour and encouragement imply the world to me. Let’s goal for even larger issues in 2025 and past.”
The transfer for Colapinto provides strain to rookie Jack Doohan, who was confirmed by Alpine as a part of its 2025 race line-up previous to Colapinto’s debut for Williams. Doohan raced instead of Esteban Ocon in Abu Dhabi, however Briatore lately instructed French outlet Le Parisien that he won’t hesitate to alter a driver if he feels they aren’t producing outcomes.
Williams staff principal James Vowles admits one of many causes Colapinto was allowed to depart is due to the potential for him to return to the grid in a race seat both this season or subsequent.
“We’re happy to have reached an settlement with Alpine for Franco to affix the staff on a multi-year association beginning in 2025,” Vowles mentioned. “Over 9 memorable races with Williams he clearly confirmed he’s deserving of a spot in Method 1 and we at all times mentioned we’d assist him to get one.
“Williams has some of the formidable driver line-ups on the grid for 2025 and past in Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, so we imagine this settlement with Alpine represents Franco’s finest likelihood of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026.
“The Williams Racing Driver Academy exists to find and develop the F1 stars of the longer term, which is strictly what it has accomplished in Franco’s case, and builds on our lengthy custom of giving proficient younger drivers their break on the high stage of motorsport.
“We’re proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, wish to thank Franco for the whole lot he has dropped at the staff and sit up for future battles on observe.”
