'Immensely quick' Colapinto tipped for success even in Alpine turbulence

13:48, 14 May

byNorberto Mujica

Williams team boss James Vowles believes Franco Colapinto, product of the British team's Academy, will 'do a goob job' at his new team Alpine despite deadline.

During the winter Williams loaned Colapinto to Alpine to fulfill the role of reserve at the French team. After rookie Jack Doohan was sidelined to the Argentine's role after six races, Colapinto was promoted to the Australian's full-time racing seat.

Shortly before the operation was completed, Oliver Oakes resigned from his post amidst a sensitive family matter, and was then replaced by the eccentric Italian Flavio Briatore.

'Colapinto to thrive in Alpine turbulence'

Turbulent times at Alpine then? Vowles certainly thinks so. “Is it in a turbulent time? Yes no doubt about it,” Vowles was quoted by Motorsport.com.

However, despite the turbulence the Briton expects Alpine to support both Colapinto and his teammate Pierre Gasly in the same measure and Colapinto to thrive.

“Will they [Alpine] be supportive to Pierre [Gasly] 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. I actually think the learning is invaluable whether it's in that team or elsewhere."

“It's time on track, it's time in a difficult environment – and if you come out of it you'll only be stronger as a result. And Franco is strong, so I think it's still the right place for him to be at this stage.”

“There's a reason we were really happy to do a transaction with Alpine. [And it's] because I really do think it's his best chance of being in a racing seat, either in 2025 – or we thought, more specifically, '26," said Vowles hinting at a certainty that Colapinto would indeed take over a seat at Alpine.

Franco Colapinto in the Alpine garage

'Colapinto will do a good job regardless of the 5-race deadline'

Colapinto ran nine races for the Grove-based team, and whilst he did make a good impression in some rounds like Azerbaijan and Singapore, h had several hard crashes in Brazil and Las Vegas for instance, which dimmed alleged interests from Red Bull Racing and other teams.

Vowles, nevertheless, believes in the young Argentine ace and tips him to do a good job regardless of the 5-race limit on his current contract.

“I'm proud he was part of our academy and that we have a responsibility towards why he's now on the grid today. 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 [Alpine] have set, he'll do a good job in that period of time.”