Franco Colapinto: Alpine sign Argentine from Williams as reserve driver for 2025 on multi-year deal
Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine from Williams on a multi-year deal; the Argentine will act as reserve driver to Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan for the 2025 Formula 1 season; Colapinto drove for Williams in the final nine rounds of the 2024 season after replacing Logan Sargeant
Thursday 9 January 2025 17:57, UK
Alpine have signed Franco Colapinto from Williams on a multi-year deal that will see the Argentine start as the team's reserve driver in 2025.
Colapinto drove in the final nine rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season for Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant, but the team had already signed Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon in 2025.
The 21-year-old will act as a reserve to Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan, with the latter making his F1 debut in 2025.
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Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore said: "We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto.
"Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula 1 grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver.
"We have an eye on our future and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success."
The announcement of Colapinto's signing came hours after Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa had also joined Alpine as a test and reserve driver.
Alpine said Colapinto will attend a number of grands prix during the 2025 F1 season and share testing of the team's previous cars with Hirakawa and Paul Aron.
Colapinto made a hugely impressive start to his F1 career by finishing in the points at two of his first four grands prix, with those performances seeing him linked to a 2025 seat at either Red Bull or their junior squad RB.
However, a series of big crashes in the final stages of the season saw interest from Red Bull cool.
Colapinto said: "I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team.
"First of all, I want to say thank you to Williams for all their support from the moment I joined the Academy until the last race in Abu Dhabi. They turned my dream of racing in Formula 1 into reality, and I will always be grateful for that.
"Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team is truly an honour."
The signing of Colapinto, who quickly built a huge following from Argentine motorsport fans, will increase pressure on Doohan to deliver in his debut campaign.
The Australian, also 21, has been given his shot at the big time after spending three seasons as the team's reserve driver.
Doohan finished 15th as he made his debut at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, after the team agreed to cut ties with the Haas-bound Esteban Ocon a race earlier than expected.
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