Franco Colapinto has started work with Alpine after making the switch from Williams in 2025.
The Argentine will serve as the Enstone-based team’s reserve driver this season behind full-time competitors Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan.
Colapinto was announced mere hours after Alpine confirmed the signing of Ryo Hirakawa. The Japanese driver was part of the McLaren Development Programme last season.
The duo join Paul Aron as reserve drivers for 2025, giving Alpine a plethora of options on the sidelines. But it is clear that of the three drivers, Colapinto has the better prospects in F1.
The 21-year-old impressed with Williams in 2024 as Logan Sargeant’s replacement. Despite having numerous crashes, Colapinto scored five points in nine races and kept pace with teammate Alex Albon.
Williams did not have a seat available for the Argentine this season after the signing of Carlos Sainz. But his performances had put him on the market, with several teams interested in his services.
Franco Colapinto’s message to Flavio Briatore after his first day with Alpine
Red Bull were interested in Colapinto as they viewed him as an option for their junior team Racing Bulls in the wake of Sergio Perez’s uncertain future.
However, Racing Bulls pulled out their interest in the 21-year-old due to his costly accidents across 2024. This prompted Alpine to begin negotiations with Williams.
Flavio Briatore was amazed by Colapinto on his F1 debut and had kept tabs on him during his brief stint in the sport.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto? Everything to know
Sure enough, Briatore struck a deal with Williams to bring the Argentine on board. Alpine are said to have paid £8.4 million for Colapinto as he signs a multi-year deal.
The 21-year-old recently had his first day at the factory at Enstone as he begins his next chapter in F1. Colapinto posed with Briatore on the Italian’s Instagram account as he welcomed the young talent to Alpine.
And the Argentine took to the comments to tell Briatore he was ready to get going. He wrote in Spanish: “Let’s goooo thanks flav vamos!!”
Jack Doohan is under threat from Franco Colapinto in 2025
It is hard to imagine Alpine have signed Colapinto to stay on the sidelines, given the fee the team paid, the long-term contract the Argentine has signed and the fact Williams were reluctant to let him go.
Rumours are suggesting that Doohan could be out of the team before getting a proper chance to prove himself. The Aussie has only made one appearance for the team at the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
It has been reported that Doohan’s contract is only for six races and he must hit a certain criteria in that time to stay beyond that point. If true, Colapinto will be waiting in the wings.
Doohan is already under immense pressure to perform and risks being out of F1 not long after being afforded his chance. Valtteri Bottas backs Doohan to succeed at Alpine, but he has limited time to do that.
F1 fans have warned Doohan to watch his back as Colapinto will be eager to take his spot and get back on the F1 grid. Judging by the speculation, that decision may already have been made.
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