Franco Colapinto drives for BWT Alpine

Rising Formula One star Franco Colapinto joins the BWT Alpine Formula One Team on a multi-year contract. The team has reached an agreement with Williams Racing to secure the services of the 21-year-old Argentinian. The BWT Alpine Formula One Team today announces its agreement with Williams Racing for the services of Franco Colapinto over a number of years. The 21-year-old Argentinian will take on a role as test and reserve driver during the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship season. His arrival will expand the pool of talent the team can draw on for assignments throughout the season. In his role with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, Franco will be present at several Grands Prix throughout the year. He will also share the wheel with Paul Aron and Ryō Hirakawa in the Old Car Test Program (TPC), while also contributing to the team's efforts on the Enstone simulator.

Franco Colapinto, test and reserve driver of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team:

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. First of all, I would like to thank Williams for all the support from my arrival at the Academy until the last race in Abu Dhabi. They made my Formula 1 dreams come true and I will always be grateful to them. Now it is time to write a new chapter and it is a true honour to take on this challenge with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. A big thank you to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore] and Oliver [Oakes] for believing in me and welcoming me to the team with open arms. I can't wait to get started and see where this adventure takes us. I would also like to thank all the sponsors and partners who have supported me in my challenges during the 2024 season and "¡Muchas gracias!" to my incredible fans in Argentina. Your passion and encouragement mean a lot to me. Let us aim even greater in 2025 and beyond.

Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor:

"We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto. There is no doubt that Franco is one of the best prospects in motorsport right now. It is fair to say that he surprised many people, myself included, when he appeared in Formula 1 last year. His performance was very impressive for a rookie. We have our sights set on the future and his signing means that we have an excellent pool of young drivers to work with to develop the team for future success."

About the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team
The BWT Alpine Formula One team competes in the FIA ​​Formula One World Championship with Grand Prix winner Pierre Gasly and F1 debutant Jack Doohan under the leadership of team principal Oliver Oakes and executive advisor Flavio Briatore. The team was bought by the Benetton family in 1986 and moved to Enstone in Oxfordshire in 1992, where it is still based today. Renault took over the Italian structure in 2000 and has since renamed it Alpine F1. The team has a rich tradition with a total of seven world championship titles, including Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso among the drivers (1994, 1995, 2005 and 2006) and among the constructors (1995, 2005 and 2006). The team celebrated its fiftieth and most recent success at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with two podium finishes and sixth place in the constructors' championship.