In a significant move for the upcoming 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, BWT Alpine Formula One Team has secured the talents of 21-year-old Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto on a multi-year agreement. This collaboration comes as part of Alpine's continued strategy to bolster its roster with promising young talent alongside its established racers.
Colapinto will be stepping into the role of Test and Reserve Driver, a position that will keep him actively involved with the team during the season. The driver will not only be present at various Grands Prix but will also partake in essential testing functions. “I am super excited to have the opportunity to join BWT Alpine Formula One Team,” said 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.”
The integration of Colapinto into the BWT Alpine fold is expected to inject fresh energy into the team. His responsibilities will include sharing driving duties in the Testing of Previous Cars Programme alongside fellow drivers Paul Aron and Ryō Hirakawa. Additionally, he will contribute to the team’s driver-in-loop simulator at their headquarters in Enstone.
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Reflecting on this transition, Colapinto expressed appreciation towards his new team and supporters, stating, “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.”
Flavio Briatore, the Executive Advisor of BWT Alpine, voiced his enthusiasm about the addition of Colapinto. “We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto,” he remarked. “Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. His performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver.”
Briatore acknowledged the importance of nurturing young drivers, stating that Colapinto's signing would enhance the team’s depth: “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.”
Under the leadership of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, BWT Alpine has been refining its approach in recent seasons, seeking to build a competitive lineup that thrives on both experience and youthful exuberance. The team, which has garnered a rich legacy in Formula One since being purchased by the Benetton Family in 1986, has experienced several transformations, most notably rebranding as Alpine F1 after Renault's acquisition in 2000.
The team’s competitive spirit was showcased during the 2024 season, where they achieved notable podium finishes and concluded the year in sixth place in the Constructor’s Championship. As BWT Alpine gears up with Colapinto, the focus will remain on leveraging both rider capabilities and new technological insights to enhance performance on the track.
As the start of the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Colapinto to see how he adapts to his new role and what impact he will have on the team’s journey moving forward. With supportive words from colleagues and a robust development plan in place, the upcoming Formula One season is poised to be an exciting chapter for both Colapinto and the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
