Franco Colapinto signs with French Formula 1 side Alpine

Formula One side BWT Alpine has confirmed that Argentina’s rookie driver Franco Colapinto has signed a “multi-year” contract with the team.

Colapinto, 21, will be the side’s test and reserve driver for the next season, said the French team in a post on social media.

“BWT Alpine Formula One Team today announces it has entered into an agreement with Williams Racing to secure the services of Franco Colapinto on a multi-year deal,” read a statement accompanying the post.

The Argentine “will take up the role of Test and Reserve Driver for the upcoming 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, further adding to the existing pool of talent the team can call upon for driving services throughout the season,” it added.

Alpine said that the Argentine would attend a number of Grand Prix races and assist with the testing of cars.

The team’s full-time drivers are Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who played a key role in securing sixth place in the Constructors' Championship last year, and Australian Jack Doohan, the son of multiple MotoGP champion Mick Doohan.

Alpine also confirmed Thursday that 30-year-old Japanese racer Rio Hirakawa and 20-year-old Estonian Paul Aron would be test and reserve drivers.

Breakthrough

Colapinto enjoyed a breakthrough season last year after making his debut for Williams Racing, where he spent years in the team’s academy, progressing through the ranks.

He raced nine times for the team, with a high of eighth in the Azerbaijan GP. He failed to finish three times.

Speculation over Colapinto’s future has been rife since the end of the Formula One season. His move to Alpine, who finished sixth in the 2024 Constructors' Championship, takes the youngster closer to a full-time seat in Formula One. 

The Pilar-born racer said he is “super excited” by the move and thanked his previous employers for their faith.

“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,” said Colapinto in a statement.

“Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with [the] BWT Alpine Formula One Team is truly an honour,” he added.

Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, praised Colapinto as “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.”

Colapinto’s Formula 1 results in 2024:

• Italian GP: 12th
• Azerbaijan GP: 8th
• Singapore GP: 11th
• United States GP: 10th
• Mexican GP: 12th
• Brazilian GP: Retired
• Las Vegas GP: 14th
• Qatar GP: Retired
• Abu Dhabi GP: Retired

– TIMES/NA