Alpine has signed a multi-year deal with Williams, with the Argentine set to start as the team’s reserve driver in 2025.

Colapinto will drive for Williams for the final nine rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season after replacing Logan Sargent, but the team has already signed Carlos Sainz as his partner for 2025. Alex Albarn.

The 21-year-old will serve as backup to Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan, who is due to make his F1 debut in 2025.

Flavio Briatore, executive advisor at Alpine, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto.

“Franco is clearly one of the best young talents in motorsport at the moment. It’s fair to say that his emergence in Formula 1 last year surprised many people, including myself, for a rookie driver. Said his performance was very impressive.

“We are looking at our future and his signing means we have a strong pipeline of young drivers that we can call on and develop the team with for future success.”

Hours before the announcement of Colapinto’s signing, Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa also joined Alpine as a test and reserve driver.

Alpine said Colapinto will compete in multiple grands prix during the 2025 F1 season and test the team’s previous cars alongside Hirakawa and Paul Aron.

Colapinto has made an impressive start to his F1 career, scoring points twice in his first four grands prix, performances that have seen him linked with a 2025 berth at Red Bull or its youth team RB.

However, a series of major incidents in the final stages of the season cooled Red Bull’s interest.

Colapinto said: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to join the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.

“First of all, I would like to thank Williams Racing for all their support from the moment I joined the academy right up to my final race in Abu Dhabi. They made my dream of racing in Formula 1 a reality and I will always So grateful for this.

“Now, it’s time to start a new chapter and it is truly a privilege to take on this challenge with the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team.”

Colapinto has quickly gained a cult following among Argentinian motorsport fans and his arrival will put more pressure on Doohan to deliver results in his first season.

The Australian, also 21, finally gets his chance to shine after three seasons as the team’s reserve driver.

Doohan made his debut at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, finishing 15th, after the team agreed to an early termination with Haas-bound Esteban Ocon.

Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2025 Formula 1 season on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16. Watch Sky Sports live now – no contract, cancel anytime