Williams clarify suggestive Colapinto remark

James Vowles insists Jack Doohan "should be given the time to prove himself" at Alpine after Franco Colapinto joining from Williams intensified the pressure on the Australian.

The team principal of the Grove-based squad expanded on comments he made upon announcing the Argentine would leave for Enstone.

At the time, he said: "We believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco’s best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026," with the inclusion of this season in particular raising eyebrows.

It played into the existing and proliferating narrative that Doohan's days in the car alongside Pierre Gasly are numbered, despite Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes stating he will be given a "fair crack at it" and the 22-year-old being determined to ensure he and Gasly are the "best package" for the team.

When asked by RacingNews365 whether he believes there is a real possibility for Colapinto to take over the drive from Doohan and if the latter should be afforded time, Vowles replied: "I think both."

He added: "Jack should be given the time to prove himself. Simple as that. I think every driver should be given the opportunity.

"If, and it's an if, he's not the right level, Franco is there and ready to go, and that's what I meant by it [in his prior remarks]."

Whilst Colapinto is filling the same role for Alpine he would have for Williams, Vowles maintains the French outfit is a better option for the 21-year-old.

"Look at the grid, that is the best opportunity for Franco, and my job in this is making sure he is put in the best situation possible," said the Briton.

"We [Williams] have a great driver line-up for at least the next two years so it won't be with us, and it won't be up and down the grid, if you look at it for the most part. So it's his best chance to get in."

Vowles: Colapinto is 'ready to step straight in' at Alpine

Colapinto is no stranger to stepping into a race seat part-way through the year, after replacing Logan Sargeant for the final nine rounds of the 2024 season.

Having initially impressed, with two early points-scoring finishes, the Argentine started to struggle. In particular, a string of heavy and costly crashes put Williams on the back foot and caused interest from Red Bull to cool significantly.

Nonetheless, Vowles has no qualms about Colapinto's ability to adapt to whatever unfolds over the campaign ahead.

"I think he's ready to step straight in," the 45-year-old said.

"It's an Alpine decision, but Franco, as he left me, is fired-up and ready to go."