Franco Colapinto: Why Red Bull Passed and Alpine Gained
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Franco Colapinto, former Williams driver, joins Alpine as a reserve for F1 2025. Learn why Red Bull passed on him as Max Verstappen's teammate.
Franco Colapinto Signs as Alpine Reserve Driver for F1 2025
Franco Colapinto, a promising talent who impressed during a brief stint with Williams last year, has been announced as Alpine’s reserve driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite showing potential, Colapinto missed out on securing a coveted Red Bull seat as Max Verstappen’s teammate due to several factors.
A Promising Start with Williams
Colapinto made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2024, replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season. In just four races, the Argentine scored five championship points, outperforming Sargeant’s single point in 36 starts. His early success caught the attention of Red Bull, who were searching for a replacement for Sergio Perez.
However, Colapinto’s performance faltered in the latter half of his nine-race stint, with several high-profile crashes diminishing his chances of securing a seat with the Milton Keynes-based team.
Red Bull’s Decision: Lawson and Hadjar Take Priority
Red Bull ultimately decided to promote from within, naming Liam Lawson as Verstappen’s new teammate and advancing Isack Hadjar from Formula 2 to their junior team. According to Colapinto’s manager, Maria Catarineu, Red Bull’s deep talent pool and internal dynamics were significant hurdles in securing a seat for Colapinto.
“Red Bull has many parts and a very powerful academy,” Catarineu explained. “Eventually, it didn’t work out for Franco, as there were already drivers in line for those opportunities.”
Alpine Steps In
With Red Bull and Williams out of the picture for 2025, Alpine seized the opportunity to bring Colapinto on board as a reserve driver. The timing of Alpine’s interest coincided with Red Bull’s, according to Catarineu, who credited Alpine’s senior management for their decisive action.
“Flavio [Briatore] showed immediate interest and remained persistent,” Catarineu said. “Despite the complexities involving Williams and other teams, Alpine was clear about their desire to sign Franco.”
Colapinto’s Role at Alpine
As Alpine’s reserve driver, Colapinto will focus on simulator work and participate in a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program. This role positions him as a potential replacement for Jack Doohan, whose future with Alpine remains uncertain.
Catarineu shared that Colapinto is thrilled with the opportunity. “Just a few months ago, we didn’t know if he would remain in Formula 1. Now, with Alpine’s support, Franco is extremely happy and optimistic about his future.”
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