Franco Colapinto is set to put Jack Doohan under huge pressure in 2025. The Argentine will serve as Alpine’s reserve driver this season behind the Aussie and Pierre Gasly.
Colapinto has signed a multi-year deal with the Enstone-based outfit after Flavio Briatore poached him from Williams. The 21-year-old scored five points in nine races as Logan Sargeant’s replacement last year – four more points than the American managed in 36 races.
Briatore was impressed by Colapinto’s debut at Monza so much that the former Benetton and Renault boss sought to bring the Argentine to Alpine.
After striking a £8.4m deal for Colapinto, Briatore has his man – with the 21-year-old signing a deal until 2029. Colapinto told Briatore he was ready to go as he visited the Enstone factory for the first time.
With such a heavy price tag and long-term contract, it is clear Alpine have Colapinto in mind for the future. Doohan’s contract is said to be only for six races, giving the Argentine the perfect chance to return to a full-time race seat.
Franco Colapinto put in a ‘transcendent’ performance in first test with Alpine in Barcelona
Colapinto recently conducted his first test with Alpine under the TPC regulations (Testing of Previous Cars). Doohan also tested in Barcelona in secret in what was the first chance for the Enstone-based outfit to see the two drivers side by side.
Ferrari and McLaren were also present at the Montmelo circuit running TPC sessions and Pirelli tyre tests on 2026 rubber ahead of the new regulation change next year.
Oscar Piastri outpaced Lewis Hamilton in the second test on Wednesday as the latter got more accustomed to his Ferrari machinery.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto? Everything to know
Doohan and Colapinto’s lap times in Barcelona have not been revealed. However, the latter’s performance will be hugely concerning for the future amid the uncertainty surrounding his future.
According to a report from La Nacion, Colapinto did an ‘ultra-professional, very serious and transcendent job’. This will certainly put the 21-year-old in good stead to impress Alpine in his new role – whilst also adding fuel to the fire that Doohan will be dropped in favour of the Argentine.
The attention Colapinto got from the team during his test was also telling. Briatore did not post about Doohan during the test on social media but did share images of Colapinto – despite the former being Alpine’s 2025 driver.
What Williams boss James Vowles thinks Alpine should do with Jack Doohan-Franco Colapinto seat battle
While Colapinto did impress with Williams in 2024 as he kept pace with teammate Alex Albon, he was also very crash-prone. Accidents in Sao Paulo, Las Vegas and Qatar almost saw the Grove-based outfit go over the budget cap, with Williams even needing to borrow Aston Martin parts.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old’s experience and incredible commercial value through sponsorships in the Americas give the Argentine the advantage over Doohan. F1 bosses would not be disappointed if Doohan lost his seat due to the potential Colapinto can bring to F1 financially.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan? All to know from his girlfriend to dad
The Aussie will need to find performance quickly at Alpine if he is to keep his seat. But Doohan says he is happy to follow team orders – a perhaps bizarre claim given the pressure he will be under as he goes up against Gasly.
Given the limited time Doohan supposedly has to prove himself, the Aussie could find himself out of Alpine before the summer break.
Williams team principal James Vowles thinks Doohan deserves a fair chance to prove his worth to Alpine. However, he stressed that if he fails to deliver, Colapinto is right there to take his seat.
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