Vowles confirms Colapinto Williams return

Williams boss James Vowles has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will return to the F1 from Alpine - but doesn't know when. 

Alpine signed Argentine Colapinto as its third driver to Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan over the winter after he impressed during a nine-race stint in the second-half of the 2024 season after replacing Logan Sargeant.

Colapinto scored points in Azerbaijan and the United States, and nearly set the fastest lap in the latter, but could not stay on as Williams already had signed up Carlos Sainz for 2025 to partner Alex Albon by the time of his debut at the Italian GP.

Alpine's loaning of Colapinto raised some eyebrows, Doohan's position at threat by the signing, with him believed to be a five-race contract to retain his seat. 

The terms of Colapinto's loan makes him an Alpine driver, but Vowles has confirmed that at some point in the future, he will return to the Grove-based squad.

"The important part, the main thing is this, he is an Alpine driver for a number of years," Vowles told select media including RacingNews365.

 "Their choice, fundamentally, is to choose what they want from that, and after that, I hope he comes back to Williams.

When then further pushed on the situation by RacingNews365, Vowles indicated that Colapinto would return to a Williams cockpit in the future.

"There is a period of time where I hope he is racing for Alpine, and the reason we did it, is that I really want him to be racing in 2025 or 2026, and this is the best chance he has without being with us," Vowles added.

"That is why is there, and I don't mean that is to the detriment of Jack, I hope Jack has a successful time, but ultimately Franco is my driver who I want back in the car after a period of time, and he will return to Williams.

"That period of time is not set in stone where I can look you in the eyes and say it, but I can say he'll be back at Williams at some point."