The 2024 driver market in Formula 1 was arguably one of the most active and dramatic in the sport’s history.
Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari sparked chaos around the paddock, with nine other driver transfers taking place ahead of the 2025 season.
And it seems that this season’s driver market could be just as hectic as the last. Despite having their two drivers confirmed for 2025, Alpine have been very active in recruiting new faces.
The Enstone-based team confirmed the arrival of Franco Colapinto as their test and reserve driver behind Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan.
Flavio Briatore struck a deal with Williams to bring in the Argentine, with Alpine reportedly paying around £8.4 million to sign him for 2025.
Colapinto’s announcement came the same day as Alpine signed Ryo Hirakawa. The 30-year-old Toyota endurance driver had been part of McLaren’s Driver Development Programme.
Aston Martin sim driver Daniel Juncadella does not understand why Alpine signed Paul Aron as a reserve driver
Interestingly, Alpine already had a reserve driver lined up for 2025 before bringing in Hirakawa and Colapinto. The team had signed Paul Aron, who was a free agent after his departure from Mercedes in 2023.
The Estonian driver finished third in Formula 2 last year behind champion Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar. Alex Bunrdle says Colapinto’s signing is brutal on Aron as it is clear Alpine have the Argentine in their future plans.
Aston Martin simulator driver Daniel Juncadella holds the same view as he does not understand why Alpine signed Aron. Speaking on the Duralavita YouTube channel, the Spaniard says the 20-year-old generated ‘no hype’ from his time at Mercedes.
“I mean I’m all in on the hype of Colapinto. I also said it publicly, I love these flashes of brilliance that he has had,” he said.
“I understand Flavio’s movements, but I don’t understand why they would suddenly put [in] Paul Aron, a kid who almost won Formula 2 in his first year, who has no hype behind him, as a firm third driver.
“Because he is a guy who, in my opinion, has almost thrown away the Formula 2 championship. Because he has been doing pole positions and he has been doing mistakes and he was beaten by two others who have made many fewer mistakes than him.
“And he comes from the Mercedes academy but he comes with no hype behind him, but you sign him as third driver and test driver. Just before [they sign] Colapinto, They announce Ryo Hirakawa, I don’t know where he was at McLaren. I don’t understand it.”
Franco Colapinto is eyeing Jack Doohan’s seat in 2025
Despite having made only one appearance in F1 (the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi) it is looking likely that Doohan will be out of Alpine not long after being afforded his chance.
It has been reported that Doohan’s contract is only for six races in 2025. With Alpine paying a hefty price to sign Colapitno from Williams, it is hard to imagine them doing that to leave him on the sidelines.
Alpine have said Doohan is their man as they intend to start the season with the 21-year-old and Gasly. But there is speculation that if the Aussie does not hit certain targets, he will be dropped from his race seat.
Likewise, a clause in Doohan’s contract may prevent Colapinto from replacing him if he hits the performance criteria. But it does seem likely that the latter will step into the former’s seat by 2026 at the very latest.
F1 bosses would not be ‘too disappointed’ if Doohan is axed in favour of Colapinto, adding more fuel to the dire that the Aussie’s F1 career is over before it even started.
