For the 2025 Formula 1 season, Franco Colapinto has been announced as Alpine’s reserve driver. The French team has lined up Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan as its main drivers for the season. While Vowles hopes Franco Colapinto will replace the Australian, he is also certain that the driver will leave Alpine and return to Williams.
Franco Colapinto has been part of Williams’ junior program since 2023, and in 2024, he seized an opportunity that marked a turning point in his career. The Grove-based team decided to replace Logan Sargeant, giving the young Argentine a chance to impress in the early races.
By the end of the season, however, the hype surrounding Franco had diminished, and he was unable to secure a full-time seat for the upcoming season. Alpine, though, signed him as a reserve driver, immediately putting Jack Doohan’s position at risk before the championship had even begun.
“There’s a period where I hope he races for Alpine, and the reason we let him go there is that I genuinely want him to race in 2025 or 2026, and this is the best opportunity he has without being with us. That’s why he’s there, and I don’t mean that to Jack’s detriment—I hope Jack succeeds.” – he pointed out.
Shortly after, James Vowles clarified the terms of Franco Colapinto’s contract. The Argentine driver has not left Williams permanently to join Alpine; instead, the French team has “borrowed” him, but he remains part of the Grove-based outfit.
“Ultimately, Franco is my driver, and I want him back in the car. The timeframe isn’t set yet, I can’t say for sure, but I can say that sooner or later, he will return to Williams.”
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