JANUARY 9, 2025
Franco Colapinto joins Alpine, putting pressure on Doohan
Franco Colapinto has been announced as a reserve driver for Alpine in 2025, following an impressive debut season with Williams. The Argentine scored five points across nine races in 2024, replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season, and has now left the Williams academy for new opportunities.
© Williams
Colapinto’s arrival raises questions about Alpine’s faith in Jack Doohan, who debuted at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a replacement for Esteban Ocon. While Doohan is signed to a race seat for 2025, reports suggest his contract is short-term, making Alpine’s move to secure Colapinto a strategic insurance policy should the Australian underperform in the opening rounds of the season.
Despite initial links to potential race seats at Red Bull and Racing Bulls, Colapinto’s move to Alpine suggests a clearer path to a long-term F1 future. He joins a reserve lineup already bolstered by Estonian driver Paul Aron, who impressed by finishing third in his rookie F2 season with Hitech, a team owned by Alpine principal Richard Oakes.
Additionally, Ryo Hirakawa has also joined Alpine’s reserve pool after departing McLaren. The Japanese driver, known for his expertise, brings further depth to Alpine’s lineup.
This aggressive recruitment drive highlights Alpine’s determination to strengthen its driver program and its ability to adapt its lineup as it pushes for greater competitiveness in 2025. With Colapinto’s potential and Doohan under scrutiny, Alpine’s strategy ensures flexibility and readiness for any scenario.
The coming season will be pivotal for both Doohan and Colapinto, as Alpine seeks to rise in the standings with a blend of youth and experience in its driver ranks.
Franco Colapinto said, "I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One 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 One 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 One Team is truly an honour. A huge thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the team with open arms. I cannot wait to get started and see where this journey takes us. Also, a massive thank you to all my sponsors and partners who stood by me through the challenges of the 2024 season. Your support made it all possible, and to my incredible fans in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your passion and encouragement mean the world to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond.”
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor 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 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.”