Williams boss James Vowles has backed his former protégé Franco Colapinto to impress during his upcoming five-race stint with Alpine, calling the young Argentine driver "immensely quick" and fully capable of delivering under pressure.
Alpine announced last week that Colapinto would step into the seat alongside Pierre Gasly for this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, with current reserve driver Jack Doohan moving back to the sidelines.
The decision is part of the Enstone squad’s ongoing evaluation of its driver line-up, as it looks to clarify its future.
Colapinto made his Formula 1 debut last year with Williams, replacing Logan Sargeant at the Italian Grand Prix for the remainder of the season.
During that time, he scored points in two of his first four races, catching the eye of team principals and fans alike with his composed driving and natural speed.
Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Italian GP at Monza on his F1 debut.
With no room left at Williams beyond 2024 – with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz locked in for 2025 and 2026 – Vowles helped engineer a move to Alpine that placed Colapinto in a better position to land a full-time F1 seat. Now that opportunity has arrived sooner than expected.
“There's a reason why we were really happy to do a transaction with Alpine because I really did think it's his best chance of being in a racing seat either in '25 or we thought more specifically '26,” Vowles explained, speaking at Williams’ headquarters.
“I'm proud he was part of our academy and that we have a responsibility towards why he's now on the grid today.”
"He Got Up to Speed Very Quickly"
Vowles expressed full confidence in the 21-year-old’s ability to make an impact at Alpine during what could be a defining five-race audition.
“What you saw with us is he got up to speed very quickly. I know he's immensely quick, so I think irrespective of whatever deadline they've set, he'll do a good job in that period of time,” said the Williams chief.
Colapinto's opportunity comes at a critical moment for Alpine, which has recently undergone leadership changes following the resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes.
Executive advisor Flavio Briatore has now stepped in to oversee operations. Still, Vowles believes the team will continue to provide support where it matters most.
“Is it in a turbulent time? Yes, no doubt about it,” he admitted.
“Will they be supportive to Pierre and Franco? Yes, I think they will as well because they're still the elite athletes that are driving for them in order to score the most points you can.
“What normally happens even in a turbulent time is you still support your drivers."
The Right Place to be
Even against Alpine’s complex backdrop, Vowles sees the team’s challenging environment as a crucible for growth.
“I actually think the learning is invaluable, whether it’s in that team or elsewhere,” he said.
“A, it’s time on track, B, it’s time and a difficult environment and if you come out of it you’ll only be stronger as a result. Franco is stronger so I think it’s still the right place for him to be at this stage.”
Read also: Alpine’s Colapinto ‘excited’ by second Italian F1 debutAs Alpine looks to climb from ninth in the Constructors' Championship, all eyes will be on Imola this weekend to see how the Argentine rookie fares.
But for Vowles, watching from the Williams pit wall, it will be a moment of pride – a chance to see a driver he nurtured take on the F1 stage and prove he belongs among the sport’s elite.
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