Franco Colapinto is set to embark on a new chapter in his Formula 1 journey as he signs on with the Alpine team in an initial reserve driver role. This move comes on the heels of an agreement made with his former team, Williams, marking a significant transition in his young career.
After a noteworthy performance in the latter half of the 2024 season, where he notably secured five points in his first four races, Colapinto caught the attention of multiple teams, with Alpine ultimately moving decisively to secure his talents.
“We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto,” said Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor. “Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula 1 grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise, and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver.”
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His tenure at Williams was not without its challenges, as the final rounds of the season experienced heavy crashes. Still, Colapinto's potential shone through, leading to Alpine's decision to embrace him as part of their 2025 lineup on a multi-year deal.
Briatore further emphasized the strategic nature of this signing, indicating the team's vision for future success. “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,” he stated.
Expressing his excitement about the new opportunity, Colapinto remarked, “I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula 1 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 1 into reality, and I will always be grateful for that.”
The young driver’s eagerness to tackle new challenges with Alpine reflects a determination to grow in the high-stakes environment of Formula 1. He articulated his sentiments regarding Alpine, saying, “Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team is truly an honor. A huge thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the team with open arms.”
Colapinto's move to Alpine signals an ambitious step in a career that had already shown promising signs during his stint with Williams. With the support and belief from Alpine’s leadership, he aims to leverage this opportunity to further refine his skills and contribute to the team’s future endeavors.
As the 2025 season approaches, attention will be focused on how Colapinto adapts to his new role and what impact he will have within the Alpine framework. The excitement around his journey underscores the growing roster of young drivers in F1, all vying for prominence in a highly competitive landscape.