Vowles 'Really Proud' of Colapinto's Earned Alpine Deal
Williams Team Principal James Vowles expressed immense pride in Franco Colapinto securing his 2026 Alpine F1 seat, strongly refuting claims that commercial appeal, not talent, was the driving factor. Vowles highlighted Colapinto's significant performance improvements and vast fan base, emphasizing that the young Argentine 'earned' his spot. This endorsement comes as Alpine looks to a strategic future with Colapinto and a switch to Mercedes power units, setting the stage for his continued development.
Williams team principal James Vowles has publicly expressed his profound pride in Franco Colapinto securing his first full Formula 1 season with Alpine for 2026. Colapinto, who debuted under Vowles at Williams, initially joined Alpine as a reserve driver before being promoted to a race seat following Jack Doohan's struggles. Despite a challenging start without a top-ten finish, Vowles vehemently rejects the notion that commercial appeal alone secured Colapinto's future, emphasizing the young Argentine's significant progress and hard work.
Why it matters:
- Colapinto's journey from a mid-season replacement to a confirmed 2026 driver highlights the intense pressure and unique opportunities within F1, especially for drivers with substantial fan bases.
- Vowles' endorsement provides a counter-narrative to claims that commercial backing, rather than talent, secured Colapinto's spot, underscoring the team's belief in his on-track potential.
- Alpine's decision, combined with their switch to Mercedes power units in 2026, signals a strategic rebuilding phase, with Colapinto as a key part of their long-term vision.
The details:
- Debut and Transition: Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams last year at Vowles' initiative, before moving to Alpine as a reserve driver for the 2024 season.
- Promotion: He was promoted to a race seat from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, replacing Jack Doohan due to what Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore described as Doohan's underperformance.
- Performance Under Scrutiny: Despite the promotion, Colapinto has yet to score a top-ten finish in his races this season, leading to speculation that his 2026 seat was influenced by his commercial appeal and sponsorship.
- Vowles' Defense: James Vowles, who oversaw Colapinto's debut, dismisses these claims, stating he is 'really proud' of Colapinto's 'big turnaround' in performance over the last seven races, asserting he 'earned that seat for next year'.
- Fan Following: Vowles also highlighted Colapinto's 'huge following,' particularly noting the '50,000 incredibly passionate Argentinians' encountered at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which he views as a positive for the sport's growth.
- Industry Support: Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle also offered encouragement, noting that Colapinto now has 'his chance' to prove himself and even drew a comparison to Ayrton Senna's look.
What's next:
Colapinto will continue to race alongside Pierre Gasly, who has also extended his contract with Alpine through at least 2028. The team's transition to Mercedes power units in 2026 will be a pivotal moment, aiming to propel them up the grid.
- With the 2026 deal secured, Colapinto can now fully focus on maximizing his performance without the pressure of proving his worth for a future contract.
- The combination of a confirmed driver lineup and a new engine supplier positions Alpine for a significant strategic shift, with all eyes on whether Colapinto can live up to the high expectations set by Vowles and Brundle.