Franco Colapinto’s Alpine F1 deal is long-term, but Williams boss James Vowles remains hopeful of the Argentine’s eventual return to Grove.
Franco Colapinto won’t be returning to Williams F1 anytime soon, as the team has let him go to Alpine for several years. However, James Vowles, the Grove-based team’s principal, fully expects the Argentine to return in the future.
“The important thing, the main thing, is that he is an Alpine driver for several years,” Vowles stated. “Ultimately, their decision is to choose what they want from that, and after that, I hope he comes back to Williams.”
“I believe in Franco. I have already publicly said that I believe, even at the expense of Williams, that a driver capable of racing in Formula 1 should race in Formula 1. That is the priority.”
“With us, we have two incredible drivers who will be with us for at least two years, and potentially up to four, depending on where we end up. So, as we would say in English, there is no room at the inn.”
“For me, Alpine provided the best opportunity for Franco to be a racing driver in 2026, and possibly even in 2025, and that is important to me. It gives him a great chance to return to the sport where I believe he deserves to compete.”
Colapinto could therefore secure a race seat at Alpine F1, a team that hasn’t spent millions on the Argentine just to leave him on the sidelines. If that happens, it could be during the 2025 season, with Jack Doohan likely to make way.
“Let’s say there is a period where I hope he will race for Alpine, and the reason we did this is that I genuinely want him to be competing in 2025 or 2026. This is his best chance without being with us. That’s why he is there, and I don’t want to say it’s at Jack’s expense—I hope Jack succeeds.”
“But ultimately, Franco is my driver, the one I want to see back in the car after some time, and he will return to Williams. That timeline isn’t set in stone—I can’t look you in the eye and tell you exactly when—but I can say that at some point, he will be back at Williams.”
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Colapinto’s Alpine Move: A Williams Return Still on Cards Colapinto’s Alpine Move: A Williams Return Still on Cards
