Argentina’s Colapinto Secures Future as Alpine’s Newest Driver Sensation
Franco Colapinto’s swift rise in Formula One takes another turn as Alpine signs the Argentine driver on a multi-year deal. Fresh from his surprise 2024 debut at Williams, Colapinto now serves as Alpine’s reserve for 2025, reshaping the team’s driver lineup possibilities.
Alpine’s Surprise Move
In a surprising yet meticulously orchestrated move, Alpine announced the signing of Argentine driver Franco Colapinto as their reserve and test driver for the 2025 Formula One season. At just 21 years old, Colapinto has already enjoyed a whirlwind career trajectory, highlighted by a midseason promotion to Williams in 2024 and points-scoring finishes that made him an instant topic of discussion in the F1 paddock. His new role at Alpine cements the team’s commitment to nurturing young talents—even when the immediate race seats are accounted for.
Alpine had stirred headlines last August by selecting Jack Doohan to replace Esteban Ocon for the upcoming season. This left many to assume the main stable was settled, with Pierre Gasly locked into a longer-term contract. Yet, the French outfit kept its options open regarding talent development, evidenced by their decision to recruit Colapinto for a reserve capacity. In 2024, the Argentine’s first race amazed motorsport fans ‒ Williams, having trouble with drivers, decided to swap out a struggling Logan Sargeant after the Dutch Grand Prix. Colapinto scored points in two of his first four races in just weeks ‒ a remarkable achievement for any new driver, especially one joining halfway through the year.
His driving impressed many teams, e.g., Red Bull. But Alpine’s interest continued even through late-season difficulties—Colapinto ended 2024 under a cloud of inconsistent results, leading to speculation that the hype around him might die down. However, Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, remained adamant that a driver of Colapinto’s caliber was always worthy of consideration, regardless of short-term fluctuations in form. Talks resumed between Alpine and Williams over the winter, culminating in Thursday’s official announcement that he will be Alpine’s test and reserve driver this year.
The agreement effectively dissolves Colapinto’s contract ties with Williams, where he was still signed for 2025 despite having no guaranteed race seat. While the move came as a blow to Williams fans who saw potential in Colapinto as a future star, team principal James Vowles explained that Alpine’s proposition was the better opportunity for a driver with his level of promise. Colapinto acknowledged Williams for jumpstarting his F1 career but noted that “it’s time for a new chapter, and taking on this challenge with Alpine is truly an honor.”
The Colapinto Factor
Although Alpine’s main seats belong to Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly, bringing in Colapinto suggests the team plans for diverse eventualities. Doohan was promoted to the race role after finishing third in Formula 2 (2023) and completing an extensive testing schedule. But his F1 experience remains limited. He made his official debut for Alpine in the 2024 finale at Abu Dhabi, though the team had earmarked him for the seat as early as the summer.
Flavio Briatore’s statements about Colapinto highlight the Argentine’s “eye-catching performances” for Williams. Even if those performances waned slightly with late-season crashes, Colapinto still made his mark as the first Argentine driver in the sport since 2001. Briatore stressed that talent of this caliber only surfaces occasionally, indicating Alpine wants to stay competitive now and in the future.
From a strategic viewpoint, Alpine’s recent signings indicate they’re assembling a stable of backup options. Indeed, the “driver depth” notion became a focal point last year when unpredictable lineups and midseason seat changes rattled several F1 outfits. By capturing Colapinto, Alpine now has a second high-potential driver waiting behind Doohan, mitigating the risk that a single poor campaign from the Australian could derail the team’s plans. Colapinto works as a test and backup driver ‒ Alpine trusts him for simulator tasks, private test plans, and maybe stepping in midseason if the main drivers struggle or get hurt.
At the same time, the Argentine wants to sharpen his skills even more. The jump from Williams to Alpine, especially in a non-race capacity, might be interpreted as a sideways move if he can’t secure an eventual seat. Yet Colapinto’s age and the unsettled nature of F1 driver markets mean it could be just the steppingstone he needs. His strong adaptability—demonstrated by two-point finishes in his first four races—suggests he might deliver effectively if called upon again at short notice. Alpine’s advanced simulator facilities and extensive behind-the-scenes operations give him a valuable environment to hone consistency, strategy, and feedback, possibly setting the stage for a full-time seat.
Questions Around Jack Doohan and Long-Term Strategy
Colapinto’s arrival inevitably spotlights Jack Doohan, the young Australian who stands as Alpine’s main driver alongside Pierre Gasly. Doohan waited a year as an Alpine reserve, and his 2025 seat was pre-announced, making him a symbolic figure of the team’s new era. Could Colapinto’s presence undermine Doohan’s stability?
On paper, Alpine remains committed to Doohan. They announced his promotion well before the 2024 season concluded, anticipating Ocon’s departure and the team built significant hype around the Australian’s entry into F1. Yet Formula One is ruthless; a driver’s hold on a seat is always contingent on performance. Colapinto’s readiness looms large, giving Alpine a fallback if Doohan struggles or fails to acclimate.
Doohan’s F2 record suggests promise, but mechanical issues marred his single race in Abu Dhabi, so fans and analysts have little data to evaluate his readiness. He’s also overshadowed by Gasly, who recently signed a long-term contract after a string of podium finishes. If Gasly continues to thrive and Doohan shows vulnerability, Alpine might seize the opportunity to slot in Colapinto—mainly if the Argentine performs well in test sessions or simulator runs.
Alpine leadership, including Briatore, is discreet about pressuring Doohan. Publicly, they affirm that the Australian driver deserves time and that adding Colapinto is about “strengthening the team’s driver pool.” But historically, F1 teams seldom sign a top prospect if they have zero intention of using him in a race seat. The potential for tension adds spice to Alpine’s upcoming season: with a newly rebuilt car concept, they aim to close the gap to the front, and internal driver battles may shape that journey.
The Broader 2025 Driver Market and Alpine’s Ambitions
Colapinto’s multi-year Alpine deal also intersects with the overarching F1 driver market in 2025. A swirl of pending contract expirations could trigger fresh seat openings across the grid, including top teams like Red Bull, which might be eyeing a younger replacement for a veteran star. Meanwhile, Mercedes has yet to clarify its 2026 lineup officially, and Ferrari—after signing Carlos Sainz—continues to debate longer-term plans around Charles Leclerc. Alpine’s move to secure Colapinto shows thoughtful planning.
Colapinto brings both excitement and uncertainties. Just a year ago, he impressed many with a standout Williams appearance. Although he earned significant points, he also had several crashes that dimmed some early enthusiasm. Yet if 2024 taught watchers anything, the Argentine can be fearless, consistent, and opportunistic in the right conditions. A year under his belt—even in partial service—means he’s miles ahead of typical test drivers who have never seen real F1 race action.
Alpine’s approach signals a renewed determination to regain a place among the leading midfield teams or even break higher. In recent years, they have shown skill in making fast cars that often fight for top spots. Engine problems and strategy mistakes held them back. Having more skilled drivers lowers the chance of driver mistakes if their leading racers struggle.
With Colapinto also set to join Ryo Hirakawa—a two-time World Endurance Championship winner who recently signed as an Alpine reserve—there’s a sense that the team is hedging every possible angle. Hirakawa brings a wealth of sports car experience but less open-wheel background, while Colapinto offers explicit F1 race experience and a youthful skill set. The synergy between these reserves should help Alpine refine testing data and push main drivers Gasly and Doohan to remain sharp.
Outside the specifics of Alpine’s strategy, Colapinto’s path resonates with the broader narratives about rising South American drivers. The region hasn’t produced a wave of new F1 stars in decades. Argentina, in particular, has seen a shortage of top-tier motorsport icons since the early 2000s. Colapinto could energize fans back home, reminding them of the likes of Carlos Reutemann or Juan Manuel Fangio. The question is whether that excitement endures if he’s relegated to behind-the-scenes duties all season long.
Nonetheless, the Argentine contends that this new challenge suits him. He acknowledges Williams’s pivotal role in his development, praising the environment that fast-tracked him onto the F1 grid. However, the opportunity to integrate with Alpine might pave the way to a permanent seat in 2026 or beyond—especially if the team needs a fresh approach or Doohan struggles. At 21, Colapinto has plenty of time ‒ though modern F1 usually favors those who act fast.
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Alpine’s long deal with Franco Colapinto shows the team’s desire to grow its driver collection ‒ using new global talent who already show they handle top racing. Those elements define Colapinto’s unusual trajectory that he’s Argentine, soared from an understudy at Williams into a breakout star, and is now making a strategic lateral shift rather than an immediate race seat move. The interplay of these factors sets a fascinating stage for 2025: Will he remain on the sidelines, or might circumstances catapult him back onto the grid sooner than planned?
