Alpine F1 today also confirmed the second rumor that we told you about this morning: its agreement with Williams Racing for the services of Franco Colapinto over several years.
The twenty-one-year-old Argentinian will have a role as test and reserve driver during the 2025 season. His arrival will expand the pool of talent from which the team will be able to draw for driving missions. throughout the season.
In his role, Franco will be present at several Grands Prix throughout the year. He will also share the wheel with Paul Aron and Ryō Hirakawa as part of the old F1 testing program [TPC] while contributing to the team’s efforts at the Enstone simulator.
“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team,” comments Franco Colapinto.
“First and foremost I would like to thank Williams for all their support from my arrival in the Academy to the last race in Abu Dhabi. They made my Formula 1 dreams come true, and I will always be grateful to them. It is now time to write a new chapter, and taking on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula One Team is a real honor. A huge thank you to Luca. [de Meo]Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] to believe in me and welcome me into the team with open arms. I can’t wait to get started and see where this adventure takes us. I also thank all the sponsors and partners who supported me in my challenges during the 2024 season. Your support made all of this possible, and “¡Muchas gracias!” to my incredible fans in Argentina. Your passion and encouragement mean a lot to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond.”
Flavio Briatore, executive advisor, adds: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto. Obviously, Franco is one of the best prospects in motorsport at the moment. It’s fair to say that he has surprised a lot of people, including me, from his appearance on the starting grid in Formula 1 last year His performances were very impressive for a beginner We have an eye on our future and his signing means that we have an excellent pool of young drivers. with whom we can count and work to develop team for future success.”
Williams F1 explains this decision
Williams F1 boss James Vowles has spoken out about the decision to sell Colapinto to a rival team. And he underlines it well: the Argentinian has a chance to ride this season with Alpine, implying that Jack Doohan will be under pressure.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Alpine for Franco to join the team on a multi-year basis from 2025. During nine memorable races with Williams, he clearly showed that he deserves a place in Formula 1 and we always said we would support him in getting it.”
“With Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, Williams has one of the most formidable groups of drivers on the grid for 2025 and beyond. We therefore believe that this agreement with Alpine represents Franco’s best chance to secure a starting wheel in 2025 or 2026.”
“The Williams Racing Driver Academy exists to discover and develop F1’s future stars, which is exactly what it has done in Franco’s case, and builds on our long tradition of giving talented young drivers their chance at the highest level of motorsport.”
“We are proud to have brought Argentina back to the F1 grid, we want to thank Franco for everything he has brought to the team and we look forward to future battles on the track.”
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