Colapinto joins Alpine as F1 reserve driver for 2025

Franco Colapinto has been signed by Alpine as one of its reserve drivers for 2025 with a multi-year deal, as the long-term future of new signing Jack Doohan hangs in the balance after just one Formula 1 race.

The Argentine has been prised away from the Williams academy after a successful opening stint to his F1 career, as he scored five points in the nine grands prix he competed in after replacing Logan Sargeant.

Having impressed on his move to F1, Colapinto was considered as an option for Red Bull as a replacement for Sergio Perez or for a vacant seat at Racing Bulls, but this interest was not followed up on.

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

With suggestions that Doohan has only been signed to a short-term race contract, Alpine’s hiring of Colapinto gives it insurance if the Australian does not impress in the opening rounds of 2025.

“We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto,” said Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore.

“Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula One 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.”

Williams team principal James Vowles stated that the team agreed to release Colapinto having felt that it was his best chance of securing a long-term race seat in the near future.

The Grove team had already secured the futures of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon before Colapinto entered the stage in 2024.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Alpine for Franco to join the team on a multi-year arrangement starting in 2025,” said Vowles.

“Over nine memorable races with Williams he clearly showed he is deserving of a place in Formula 1 and we always said we would support him to get one.

“Williams has one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid for 2025 and beyond in Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, so we believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco’s best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026. 

“We are proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, want to thank Franco for everything he has brought to the team and look forward to future battles on track.”

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 before finishing third.

The Estonian was driving for Hitech, the squad owned by Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes, and came into the fold highly regarded by the Briton.

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