Colapinto’s representative broke the silence and gave details of the long negotiation that brought the Argentine Williams driver to Alpine

The landing of Franco Colapinto a Alpine made a lot of noise in the Formula 1. It was thought that, after the 9 Grand Prix contested with Williamswould continue in the British team as a reserve driver. However, Flavio Briatore He was seduced by the potential, both on and off the track, of the Argentine and moved heaven and earth to have him in the team that belongs to Renault and races under the French flag. The news was announced with great fanfare by all parties involved. But Little was known about the fine print of the negotiations and that is what, in dribs and drabs, the Spanish woman revealed in the last few hours Maria Catarineuone of the representatives of the boy of the moment in world motorsports.

“The agreement came because both parties got what they wanted: Flavio managed to hire Franco and James (Vowles) was able to give him the opportunity to race, since at Williams their regular drivers have long-term contracts. Briatore saw Franco from who debuted in Formula 1. The day we spoke for the first time he told us: ‘I have seen talent and I love it.’ Catarineu in dialogue with Infobae.

And he added: “Briatore is a very interesting character, with a lot of personality, very passionate and very engaging. “He always had Franco between his eyebrows and wanted to have him at all costs.”

Catarineu, who works side by side with English Jamie Campbell-Walter at the representation agency Bullet Sports Managementrevealed that The contract with Alpine will be for five yearsalthough he avoided giving the amounts that the French team had to spend to retain the Argentine’s services.

“Williams loaned Franco to Alpine for five years. 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,” he explained while confirming that his company will continue to manage Colapinto’s career and commercial interests. “It is the best for everyone that Jaime and I continue to be in charge of Franco and even more so on a day-to-day basis. Obviously Flavio will be aware of everything that happens. “This is teamwork,” he pointed out.

In that sense, appreciated the good disposition of Vowles, Williams’ bosswhen facilitating the departure of the Argentine. “James is a very upright guy and kept his word. He promised to get Franco a place so he could race in F1. He always wanted Franco to have a place and he took care of it,” he highlighted.

Catarineu, finally, avoided giving details about the real chances of his representative leaving his reserve role to be a starter in Alpine, where they already have a confirmed seat. Pierre Gasly y Jack Doohan. It is known that the Frenchman is the team’s number one and, except for an unforeseen event, no one will move him from his car. The case of the Australian is different, who debuted in the Qatar GP, the last race on the 2024 calendar, and would have to show his skills in the first five dates of 2025 to revalidate his place in the elite.

Hence the rumors that open the chance for Colapinto to return by joining the grid of 20 drivers in the middle of the season. However, the Spanish businesswoman prefers caution. “Today there are two drivers who have contracts and it is something that is beyond us. That will be defined by the team. I don’t know if he’s going to debut in Australia, Miami or wherever, what I know is that Franco showed that he can run and Alpine hired him for a reason,” he concluded with a wink.