Maria Catarineu, manager of Franco Colapinto, has spoken out about the details of Alpine’s contract with the hugely popular driver. Maria had not spoken to the media for two months until an interview with Infobae.
It was revealed last week that Colapinto had moved to Alpine on a reserve driver basis from Williams. The Argentine driver had made a strong impression in 2024 after replacing Logan Sargeant.
Both Alpine and Red Bull had expressed interest in the debutant.
Now there’s speculation that Colapinto will someday make the step-up to a race seat at Alpine. This may rest on the form of Jack Doohan, full-time Alpine driver for 2025.
Franco Colapinto made an impression to Alpine bosses
In an interview with Infobae, an Argentine news outlet, Maria Catarineu, Commercial Director at Bullet Sports management, revealed that the interest for Colapinto came from the very top of Alpine management.
Flavio Briatore, Special Advisor to Alpine, was apparently ‘very intense’ during talks.
“Everything was delayed because negotiations are sometimes complex. Flavio was always very persistent and in recent weeks he was very intense,” Maria said.
“The agreement came because both parties got what they wanted: Flavio [Briatore] managed to hire Franco [Colapinto] and James [Vowles] was able to give him the possibility that he can race, since at Williams his titular drivers have long-term contracts,” he explained.
He said that Briatore told him: “I have seen talent and I want it.” Falvio has almost 40 years of experience in the sport and has nurtured drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
“Flavio always had Franco between his eyebrows and at all costs wanted to have him,” Maria said.
“James [Volwes] is an honest guy and kept his word. He promised to get Franco a place so he could race in F1,” Maria continued. “He always wanted Franco to have a place and he took care of it.”
It’s a long-term deal for Colapinto
Regarding the length of contract, Maria revealed: “Williams ceded Franco for five years to Alpine.”
This is an incredibly long contract for someone with so few race sunder his belt, but shows the confidence Alpine feel for him.
It was revealed that in these five years, Alpine are in charge of Franco’s salary and contractual rights.
“I understand that if another team appears interested in Franco within that period, I suppose it would be a negotiation between Alpine and the other team,” Maria explained.
Asked about his feelings on Colapinto driving this year, Maria said: “I’m not going to say what I feel.” This puts immense pressure on Doohan.
This is a huge move for Alpine, not only for Colapinto’s performances, but also his fans and sponsors. Alpine’s social media account added half a million followers within 48 hours of the announcement.
Williams also struck deals with South American companies in only Franco’s short tenure there.
Asked about if Franco Colapinto will return to Williams after five years at Alpine, Maria indicated: “It’s a possibility, but anything can happen.”
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Feature image credit: Williams Racing Photos