Alpine F1 prospect gets to work as controversial driver switch looms

Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto has officially started his new role with the team.

Colapinto spent the second half of the 2024 campaign racing for Williams after the Grove-based outfit opted to part ways with Logan Sargeant.

Although he was involved in several costly crashes, Colapinto impressed with his speed and scored five championship points by the end of the season.

The Argentine was unable to secure a seat on the 2025 grid as Williams had already committed to fielding Alex Albon alongside newcomer Carlos Sainz.

Colapinto found refuge at Alpine where he will carry out test and reserve duties for the upcoming campaign.

However, the 21-year-old is already being linked with another mid-season promotion at the team before the campaign has even commenced.

Alpine will have Colapinto in its arsenal for the upcoming season and will have the option to fit him into a race seat should it wish to rotate its driver line-up.

Colapinto arrived at Alpine’s factory at Enstone for his first official day with the team on Thursday, January 23.

He will also be handed F1 outings in older cars as per the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, joining Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa in receiving such opportunities.