F1 News
Vowles to suggest driver change at rivals? 'Maybe already in '25'
- Ludo van Denderen
Franco Colapinto was believed to be 'The Next Big Thing' by Williams, yet, the British team let the Argentine join Alpine. At the French team, Colapinto will be a reserve driver, similar to what he role would have been at Williams as well. Team principal James Vowles explained why the talent was allowed to leave after the FW47 was presented.
With Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz, Williams have two experienced drivers behind the steering wheel, but what if they have to miss an event for one reason or another? Still, Colapinto will no longer replace the regular drivers if needed, as Alpine contracted him as a reserve driver this winter. Asked by GPblog why Vowles let Colapinto go, the Brit said: "I believe in Franco."
"I already said, very much publicly, that I believe, even at the decrement and cost of Williams, that a racing driver that is capable in Formula 1 should be racing in Formula 1. That's the first thing. With us, we have two incredible drivers that will be with us for at least a couple of years, and maybe up to four years, just depending on where we get to. There is no room in the inn, as we'd say in English."
Doohan would already be on the edge
At Alpine, there wasn't a full-time seat either for Colapinto, as Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan were announced earlier over the course of the 2024 season. Nevertheless, rumours have been going around for some time about the Argentinian soon having the chance to replace the Australian rookie. Given Vowles' answer, it seems that even a rival team principal does not think that would be unrealistic.
"For me, Alpine presented the best opportunity for Franco to be a racing driver in 2026, and maybe 2025. That's important to me. It gives him a great opportunity to still come back to the sport where I believe he deserves to race," the British team principal concluded at Silverstone.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
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