Franco Colapinto has secured a five-year deal as test and reserve driver for Alpine, following intense negotiations led by team boss Flavio Briatore.
A poor end to the year, which was curtailed by a number of incidents, combined with a reported hefty release clause, meant that interest in Colapinto subsided. But after intense negotiations with Alpine, a deal was agreed to bring Colapinto to Enstone as their test and reserve driver. Maria Catarineu, Commercial Director at Bullet Sports Management, has revealed Briatore’s interest in Colapinto was “very intense.
” \ “It took a long time because negotiations are sometimes complex, as in this case. But Flavio was always very persistent and in the last few weeks he was very intense,” she said. “The agreement came about because both parties got what they wanted – Flavio was able to sign Franco and James was able to give him the chance to race, because at Williams their regular drivers are on long-term contracts.” She added: “Briatore has seen Franco since he made his F1 debut. The day we first chatted he said: ‘I’ve seen talent and I want him.’ “He followed all the races closely and how he evolved as an F1 driver in the nine Grands Prix he was able to race.”\Catarineu also revealed that Colapinto’s Alpine deal is for five years – an incredibly long deal for a driver that has just nine races to his name.“I understand that, if another team appears interested in Franco, within that period, I guess it would be a negotiation between Alpine and the other team.”While Alpine have confirmed Doohan will remain in the car for the start of the season, the Australian will be under immense pressure internally. Catarineu refused to be drawn in on whether Colapinto will get the opportunity to drive with Alpine as a full-time driver
ALPINE COLAPINTO BRIAORE TEST DRIVER RESERVE DRIVER
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