James Vowles ‘really proud’ of Franco Colapinto for earning Alpine seat in 2026

James Vowles was left feeling “really proud” of Franco Colapinto after it was confirmed that the Argentinian will remain on the grid with Alpine into 2026, though the Williams boss added that the young driver needs to “keep earning it year on year”.

Colapinto – who was previously a member of the Williams Driver Academy – made his F1 debut for Williams during the final nine Grands Prix of the 2024 season, having been drafted in to replace Logan Sargeant until Carlos Sainz arrived in 2025.

The 22-year-old went on to join Alpine as a reserve driver, before being promoted to a race seat following the opening six rounds of the 2025 season after the decision was made to swap out Jack Doohan.

While Colapinto faced a difficult start – leading Alpine’s Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore to state that he was “not happy” with the level of performance – the Argentinian has been more competitive relative to team mate Pierre Gasly of late.

Asked for his reaction to the news that Colapinto will continue on with Alpine in 2026, Vowles said: “I’m really proud of what he’s done – certainly over the last, let’s say, seven races. It’s a big turnaround for me. He’s showing the world the performance I saw when he was with Williams.

“I think he’s earned that seat for next year, and I was incredibly proud of him when they announced it.”

Vowles also spoke positively of the large fanbase that Colapinto has, adding: “He’s got such a huge following. On the way in here [to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix] – and I’m really not exaggerating – it took half an hour because there’s about 50,000 incredibly passionate Argentinians, and that’s what I like to see.

“The sport is in a health it’s never been in before, and Franco has this huge following. So I think he’s done it on performance; he also does it on what the sport’s getting out of it as well at the same time. I think he’s got a bright future – it’s for him to keep earning it year on year.”

Colapinto will again have Gasly as his team mate next season, the Frenchman having signed a contract extension with the Enstone-based squad – who will switch to Mercedes power units in 2026 – that will see him race for them until at least the end of the 2028 campaign.