Colapinto joins Alpine as F1 reserve driver for 2025

Franco Colapinto has been signed by Alpine as one among its reserve drivers for 2025, because the long-term future of recent signing Jack Doohan hangs within the stability after only one Formulation 1 race.

The Argentine has been prised away from the Williams academy after a profitable opening stint to his F1 profession, as he scored 5 factors within the 9 grands prix he competed in after changing Logan Sargeant.

Having impressed on his transfer to F1, Colapinto was thought of as an choice for Pink Bull as a Sergio Perez substitute or for a vacant seat at Racing Bulls, however this curiosity was not adopted up on.

Colapinto had since been linked to Alpine as a prospective replacement for Doohan, who made his personal F1 debut on the 2024 Abu Dhabi finale as Esteban Ocon was launched from his contract early.

With options that Doohan has solely been signed to a short-term race contract, Alpine’s hiring of Colapinto offers it insurance coverage if the Australian doesn’t impress within the opening rounds of 2025.

Colapinto mentioned: “I’m tremendous excited to have the chance to affix BWT Alpine Formulation 1 Staff. Initially, I need 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 Formulation 1 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 Formulation 1 Staff is really an honour.

“An enormous thanks to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the crew with open arms.

“I can’t 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 doable, and to my unimaginable 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.”

Briatore, Alpine’s government advisor, added: “We’re very happy to come back to an settlement with Williams Racing to signal Franco Colapinto.

Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos

“Clearly, Franco is among the many greatest younger skills in motorsport proper now. It’s truthful to say his look on the Formulation 1 grid final yr caught many, me included, without warning and his performances have been very spectacular for a rookie driver.

“We’ve an eye fixed on our future and his signing means we’ve got an important pool of younger drivers to name upon and work with in growing the crew for future success.”

Alpine had previously signed ex-Mercedes junior Paul Aron to a reserve driver contract, after he impressed in his rookie F2 season by briefly contending for the title earlier than ending third.

The Estonian was driving for Hitech, the squad owned by Alpine crew principal Oakes and got here into the fold extremely regarded by the Briton.

Ryo Hirakawa was also unveiled as part of Alpine’s reserve pool earlier on Thursday, because the Japanese driver left his position at McLaren to supply his experience to the French outfit.