Franco Colapinto: F1 Bio, Stats & Career Timeline

Franco Colapinto is an Argentine Formula 1 driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. Born on 27 May 2003 in Pilar, Buenos Aires Province, Colapinto made history in 2024 as the first Argentine driver to race in Formula 1 in 23 years, and has built his Formula 1 career on an unusual foundation: twice being parachuted into a race seat mid-season to replace a struggling teammate, and delivering under pressure both times.

Early Life and Junior Career

Colapinto began karting at age nine, winning Argentinian national karting titles before moving into single-seaters in 2018 with the F4 Spanish Championship, taking the title in his second season with eleven wins and thirteen podiums. He progressed through the Formula Regional European Championship and even competed in endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and GT World Challenge Europe, before joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy in early 2023. He stepped up to FIA Formula 3 in 2022 with Van Amersfoort Racing, taking pole in his very first qualifying session, and continued into FIA Formula 2 in 2024 with MP Motorsport.

A Sudden Formula 1 Debut with Williams (2024)

Colapinto's Formula 1 opportunity arrived unexpectedly in August 2024, when Williams announced he would replace Logan Sargeant for the remainder of the season. He made his race debut at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, becoming the first Argentine driver in Formula 1 since Gastón Mazzacane in 2001. He delivered an immediate impact, scoring points in Azerbaijan and the United States — the first points for an Argentine driver in 24 years — across a standout nine-race cameo that established him as one of the most talked-about rookies in the paddock.

Moving to Alpine (2025)

Despite his strong form, Williams' signing of Carlos Sainz left Colapinto without a full-time seat for 2025, and he moved to Alpine as reserve driver. He didn't have to wait long for a race seat, being drafted in to replace rookie Jack Doohan from round seven of the season onwards. His performances were consistent enough to earn a multi-year contract extension, confirmed ahead of the 2025 São Paulo Grand Prix.

Full-Time Alpine Driver (2026)

Colapinto enters 2026 as a full-time Alpine driver for the first time, partnering Grand Prix winner Pierre Gasly as the team transitions to Mercedes customer power units under new technical regulations. He has continued to build on his reputation for adaptability, delivering solid points finishes through the opening rounds of the season, including a career-best sixth place at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Personal Life

Colapinto has quickly become one of the most popular drivers in South America, drawing enormous crowds and media attention whenever Formula 1 visits the region. He is widely credited with reigniting interest in Formula 1 across Argentina for the first time in a generation.

Key Career Facts at a Glance

• Full name: Franco Alejandro Colapinto
• Nationality: Argentine
• Born: 27 May 2003, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Team: Alpine-Mercedes
• Car number: 43
• F1 debut: 2024 Italian Grand Prix
• Career starts: 31
• Career wins: 0
• Career podiums: 0
• Career pole positions: 0
• World Championships: 0