Franco Colapinto has signed with the Alpine System 1 staff, initially as a reserve driver, after an settlement was reached with former staff Williams.
Alpine has moved to safe Colapinto’s providers after a formidable 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 had been outlined by some heavy crashes however the Argentine’s potential — each from a sporting and business perspective — earned him curiosity from a number of groups, and Alpine has now confirmed he’ll grow 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 stated. “Clearly, Franco is among the many greatest younger abilities in motorsport proper now. It’s truthful to say his look on the System 1 grid final 12 months 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 have now an important pool of younger drivers to name upon and work with in creating 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 residence nation.
“I’m tremendous excited to have the chance to affix BWT Alpine System 1 tam,” Colapinto stated. “Initially, I need to say thanks to Williams for all their help from the second I joined the Academy till the final race in Abu Dhabi. They turned my dream of racing in System 1 into actuality, and I’ll at all times be thankful for that.
“Now, it’s time for a brand new chapter, and to tackle this problem with BWT Alpine System 1 Group is actually 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’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 means of the challenges of the 2024 season. Your help made all of it attainable, and to my unimaginable followers in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your ardour and encouragement imply the world to me. Let’s goal for even higher issues in 2025 and past.”
The transfer for Colapinto provides stress 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 rather than Esteban Ocon in Abu Dhabi, however Briatore not too long ago informed French outlet Le Parisien that he is not going to 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 go away 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 stated. “Over 9 memorable races with Williams he clearly confirmed he’s deserving of a spot in System 1 and we at all times stated we’d help 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 consider this settlement with Alpine represents Franco’s greatest 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 carried out in Franco’s case, and builds on our lengthy custom of giving gifted younger drivers their break on the prime degree of motorsport.
“We’re proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, need to thank Franco for all the pieces he has dropped at the staff and stay up for future battles on observe.”
