Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine for the 2025 as reserve driver. But he’s not planning to be in that role for long.
Colapinto will be aware that Jack Doohan only has a six-race contract. If the rookie doesn’t impress in the early rounds, there could be an almost immediate opportunity.
The Argentine made his debut at last year’s Italian Grand Prix after former team Williams decided to drop Logan Sargeant. He started nine races, scoring five points.
Colapinto’s stock fell at the end of the season following three heavy crashes in Sao Paulo and Las Vegas. But Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore saw enough promise to make a move.
What’s more, Colapinto brings a £25m sponsorship package from his homeland. If Briatore’s pivot to Mercedes engines was a financial decision, this could be another.
The 21-year-old drove for Alpine at a test in Barcelona this week. Intriguingly, Briatore posted about Colapinto, but ignored Doohan’s earlier outing.
Flavio Briatore sees Fernando Alonso’s determination in Franco Colapinto
Renault CEO Luca de Meo hopes Briatore can turn Alpine into winners. He delivered two-world championships for the Enstone based team in the mid-2000s.
Fernando Alonso was at the wheel for both, ending Michael Schumacher’s run of five straight in ’05 before edging the German again in ’06. Briatore continues to manage the Aston Martin driver.
According to La Nacion, Briatore sees something in Colapinto that reminds him of that version of Alonso. Specifically, it’s his ‘brave and determined attitude’.
The youngster won F1’s overtake of the year award for a move on Alonso at the United States Grand Prix. Even Williams boss James Vowles was surprised by Colapinto’s level.
Some Alpine insiders think there’s a better option to replace Jack Doohan
Doohan may have to match Pierre Gasly to keep his seat beyond the early contractual deadline. Critics would argue the team have already set him up to fail.
After all, Gasly has surpassed 150 Grands Prix and been with Alpine for two years. Even if Briatore privately thinks Colapinto is better than Doohan, the former Williams man many struggle to live up to that standard.
Surprisingly, some at Alpine believe Paul Aron is their best option. The F2 driver joined shortly before Colapinto’s arrival.
That seemed to remove any prospect of him landing a race seat under Oliver Oakes. But it appears the team may be split on the best way forward.
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