Alpine confirm Colapinto as reserve driver for 2025 F1 season

Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine as a test and reserve driver for the 2025 Formula One season after the team struck a deal to sign him from Williams.

Alpine has maintained that Jack Doohan, who they named as Esteban Ocon’s replacement for 2025 at the end of August, is their race driver for the start of the season.

Colapinto burst onto the F1 scene last year when Williams drafted him in to replace Logan Sargeant from the Italian Grand Prix weekend back in September.

The Argentine impressed for Williams, scoring points in just his second start at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as well as finishing 10th in Texas two races later.

Those displays put him on the radar of both Red Bull and Alpine, though the former's interest waned after three retirements in the final four races of the campaign.

Alpine's confirmation comes after adding Japanese Ryo Hirakawa and Estonian Paul Aron to their ranks as reserve and test drivers.

Colapinto, Hirakawa and Aron will give Alpine plenty of back-up options behind their confirmed full-time 2025 driver line-up of Pierre Gasly and Doohan – the latter stepping up from his test, reserve and development role.

FRANCOOOOO! WIN a signed shirt from our 2025 Reserve Driver

— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) January 9, 2025

"I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team," began Colapinto. "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 One into reality, and I will always be grateful for that.

"Now, it is time for a new chapter, and to take on this challenge with BWT Alpine Formula One Team is truly an honour.

"A huge thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me into the team with open arms. I cannot wait to get started and see where this journey takes us.

"Also, a massive thank you to all my sponsors and partners who stood by me through the challenges of the 2024 season.

"Your support made it all possible, and to my incredible fans in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your passion and encouragement mean the world to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond."