Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has hailed Franco Colapinto as one of the team’s “most important assets” ahead of the Formula 1 2025 season.
The young Argentine joined the Enstone-based squad after the end of the 2024 season.
Colapinto made his debut in F1 for Williams, competing in nine races and scoring five points in total after replacing Logan Sargeant midway through the season.
Sargeant’s replacement was Carlos Sainz after he was forced to leave Ferrari, which meant Colapinto had no seat for 2025.
Alpine swooped in for the 21-year-old, despite having already decided on its driver lineup for next season with Jack Doohan set to replace Esteban Ocon.
However, even though Colapinto will act as the team’s reserve driver for 2025, there have been rumours that Doohan could be replaced by the Buenos Aires-born racing driver before the end of the season.
But for Briatore, the focus remains on nurturing the talent the French squad acquired from its Constructors’ rivals.
“He’s quick, he’s a very, very good driver,” the Italian told Argentine broadcaster Eltrece.
“He needs some experience, but we believe in Franco.
“We were fighting to have Franco in the team.
“And for the future, Franco is one of the most important assets for us.”
The 74-year-old went on to praise the impact he has had so far on the team.
“In Formula 1, what is important is the timing,” he added.
“He’s a nice guy, and he respects the sponsors – he has a very good conversation with all the engineering.
“He’s working very hard in this moment with us, I’m very happy.”
Alpine advisor reluctant to talk about mid-season swap rumours
Recent reports have suggested that Doohan’s future with the team isn’t set in stone, with talks of the Australian’s contract only guaranteeing him a limited number of races.
Asked about the potential of a driver-swap, Briatore refused to be drawn into discussing the rumours, instead ensuring that the team will provide Colapinto with the tool he needs to succeed.
“The promise is we will try all the best to put Franco in the position to do the job,” he said.
“This is what we need to be doing.
“We do all the effort with the engineers to make sure he has the right car to do the job.
“And after [that], we’ll see.”
For the former Formula 2 racing driver, joining Alpine was a decision taken to improve his chances at a full-time seat in the sport.
Speaking to the media during Alpine’s F1 75 launch event, Colapinto revealed why he left Williams for Alpine.
“In the end, Alpine was the best option, and the one that gave me more opportunities for a main driver seat in the future,” he told Telenoche.
Colapinto also spoke of his admiration for Briatore, whose career in F1 spans decades – recruiting the likes of Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher.
“It’s an honour and a motive of pride,” Colapinto said.
“He’s the one who found [Michael Schumacher] and [Fernando] Alonso.
“He’s got a lot of history in F1 and he’s going with his gut; he hasn’t missed so far.”
READ MORE: Jack Doohan hits back at rumours Franco Colapinto could replace him at Alpine
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