Alpine have already been active in the driver market in 2025 as they secured the signature of Franco Colapinto.
The Argentine will be the team’s test and reserve driver this season having been with Williams since 2023. The transfer was announced mere hours after Alpine confirmed the arrival of Ryo Hirakawa, who will also be a reserve driver.
Colapinto was handed his debut in F1 by James Vowles as he was called up to replace Logan Sargeant from the Italian Grand Prix onwards in 2024. Vowles was labelled the ‘literal GOAT’ by Colapinto fans as he bid farewell to the 21-year-old.
The Argentine scored five points in nine races with the Grove-based team, but despite his impressive performances, the signing of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon extending his contract prevented him from having a seat at Williams until at least 2027.
Rumours had been swirling around the paddock about Colapinto’s future, with several teams expressing an interest. In the end, it was Alpine who landed his signature, with Flavio Briatore playing a key role in getting the deal over the line.
Alpine have promised Williams to take care of Colapinto as he embarks on his new adventure with the Enstone-based outfit.
Alpine have paid Williams £8.4m for Franco Colapinto according to ‘rumours’
Red Bull had been interested in Colapinto, which Christian Horner confirmed in Sao Paulo. The organisation were considering him as an option for Racing Bulls if Sergio Perez was dismissed by the main team – which eventually did happen.
But after suffering multiple costly crashes at Williams, Racing Bulls pulled out of their interest in Colapinto. This opened the door for Alpine to negotiate a deal.
It had been reported that Red Bull had offered Williams £15.4m for Colapinto – which was what the Grove-based team were said to have been asking for.
According to a report from F1 Insider, ‘rumours’ have revealed how much Alpine were able to get Colapinto for – and they might have got him cheaper than previously thought.
While the report states that ‘the transfer fee has not been disclosed’, it goes on to state that ‘rumours say it will be 10 million euros’, which works out to around £8.4m.
Who is suffering the most at Alpine after Franco Colapinto’s signing?
Alpine will have a seat available for Colapinto in 2026, but the Argentine will have his sights set on an opportunity in 2025.
This is due to reports that Jack Doohan’s contract is only for six races. The Aussie will race with Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly in 2025, but he appears to already be at risk of losing his seat before stepping into this year’s car.
Alpine are backing Doohan despite the rumours, but it is hard to imagine they would want Colapinto on the sidelines for so long, especially considering the fee they are rumoured to have paid.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Colapinto has more experience and commercial value than Doohan with his sponsorships and fanbase from South America. Liam Lawson says his fanbase is tiny compared to Colapinto’s as he claims his New Zealand following is just ‘5%’ of the Argentine’s
But amidst the speculation surrounding Doohan’s future, Alex Brundle feels Paul Aron is hurt the most by Colapinto’s arrival. The Estonian was signed as Alpine’s reserve driver last year.
Aron would have been hoping he would have had a shot at a seat with the team in 2026, but with Hirakawa and Colapinto joining Alpine, the 20-year-old’s prospects now look very bleak.
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