Colapinto sends 'ready' warning as Alpine seat tensions ramp up

Franco Colapinto insists he is "ready for anything" at Alpine having joined the Enstone team in support of Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan.

The Argentine, who raced in F1 for nine grand prix with Williams last year, made the switch to the French squad in pursuit of his next race seat.

Upon Colapinto signing up as another test and reserve driver, in addition to Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa, his ex-team principal James Vowles made a telling admission, claiming the move represented the 21-year-old's "best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026."

Alpine has maintained the capture of Colapinto is merely to provide depth and options for the future, but has acknowledged his presence will keep Gasly and Doohan "honest" over the season to come.

For the latter driver, however, it mounts considerable pressure to immediately perform on his shoulders, particularly given the rumours he will have only a handful of rounds to impress once the campaign gets underway.

Nonetheless, team principal Oliver Oakes is adamant the Australian will be given a "fair crack" at keeping his race seat. Colapinto, on the other hand, has said will be "always ready" to step into the car, if needed.

"My role within the team will be to help, to help with everything I can, to bring the team back to the top, to improve the car as much as possible and to help with everything I can," the ex-Williams driver said to Motorsport.com on his first official day at Enstone.

"I will be very attentive to whatever happens and obviously always ready if I have to get in the car at some point. Doing all the testing, developing the new car, spending a lot of time in the simulator and obviously being ready for anything."

Colapinto: Alpine 'deserves to fight for championships'

Whilst any tough driver line-up decisions Alpine must make remain further downstream, Colapinto has been settling into his new role.

He will spend time in the simulator working on the team's new chassis, the A525, as it readies itself for pre-season testing in late February.

"I’m really happy to be here," Colapinto said upon arriving at Enstone. "It’s a great start to the year, so let’s try to do more.

"It’s my first time in Enstone, in Alpine. I’m very happy with this moment in my racing career. My first day in the team. It’s a team that is growing a lot, that wants to get back to the top with Renault, with Alpine.

"It’s a team that deserves to be at the top and to fight for championships. It’s a pleasure to be here and visit the factory, meet the whole team, all the people who work in this team that will be at the top.

"It’s a pleasure to meet them and I have a lot to learn, but it’s a great first day at Alpine."