Briatore 'surprise' sparked Colapinto move

Flavio Briatore has expressed "surprise" at how Franco Colapinto performed on the F1 stage last season, resulting in his decision to make a move for the rising star.

With no room at Williams for Colapinto as team principal James Vowles has set his store in Alex Albon and new signing Carlos Sainz for the coming years ahead, the Briton felt that for the Argentine's F1 future, he would allow him to join an F1 rival.

Although taking up the same role at Alpine as he had at Williams, that of a test and reserve driver, Colapinto has signed a multi-year contract with Alpine, clearly indicating the team sees the 21-year-old in a car sooner rather than later.

Alpine is committed to going into this season with Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan as its driver pairing, although Colapinto's capture has placed enormous pressure on the latter to deliver from the outset.

Even in the face of Colapinto's poor end to the season, with high-profile crashes in São Paulo and Las Vegas, following a stellar start to his nine-race cameo with Williams after stepping in for the axed Logan Sargeant, Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore undoubtedly sees him as a future star.

Expressing his pleasure at coming to an agreement with Williams to sign Colapinto, Briatore said: "Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now.

"It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula 1 grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver.

"We have an eye on our future and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success."

Earlier on Thursday, Alpine also announced Ryo Hirakawa as a test and reserve driver. It also has Paul Aron on its books as a reserve.