Franco Colapinto is patiently waiting for a chance to return to the F1 grid. The Argentine is on the sidelines in 2025 as Alpine’s reserve driver.
The Enstone-based outfit signed the 21-year-old on a multi-year deal from Williams over the winter. Colapinto impressed as Logan Sargeant’s replacement in the final nine races of 2024, scoring five points.
Given his long-term contract and the money Alpine paid for him, it would be natural to assume that Colapinto would land a full-time race seat down the line. Not long after signing for the team, he was already being linked with replacing Jack Doohan.
The Aussie was signed for 2025 alongside Pierre Gasly, but rumours began to swirl that Doohan only has a six-race contract at Alpine. With limited time to prove himself, the 23-year-old is facing pressure from Colapinto and, in some ways, it is getting to him.
Doohan suffered major accidents in Melbourne and Suzuka, with the damages proving costly for Alpine and the budget cap. After the Japanese Grand Prix, there was speculation that the team could drop the Aussie after just three races in 2025.
Flavio Briatore has a ‘good argument’ to replace Doohan due to his crashes. The former Benetton and Renault boss is a keen admirer of Colapinto, but it seems as though Alpine have gone against his judgement.
Ted Kravitz says some of the ‘heat’ has gone from Franco Colapinto after the Bahrain Grand Prix
While Doohan’s crashes are a problem, Colapinto is also prone to accidents. The Argentine suffered multiple heavy incidents at Williams that set the team back millions in costs.
Not everyone at Alpine was convinced by Colapinto when they signed him, possibly due to his crashes. Likewise, several insiders do not think Doohan should be axed as he is slowly starting to develop.
Speaking via The F1 Show, Ted Kravitz says some of the ‘heat’ of Colapinto has ‘gone out for various reasons’ after the Bahrain Grand Prix. While Doohan dropped out of the points to finish 14th, teammate Gasly scored the team’s first points in 2025 with P7.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
151 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
93 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
71 |
| 4 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
57 |
| 5 |
Haas F1 Team |
20 |
| 6 |
Williams F1 Team |
19 |
| 7 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
10 |
| 8 |
Racing Bulls |
7 |
| 9 |
Alpine F1 Team |
6 |
| 10 |
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
6 |
“That’s great for Pierre Gasly, six points, puts him above Hulkenberg and Bearman.
“Alpine say that their power unit cost them four tenths or half a second per lap, then imagine what they’d have with a Mercedes power unit, which they’re going to have next year so that’s going to be interesting.
“That’s going well for Enstone so far, well done to them.
“Doohan, you’re right, seems to be a bit happier with him. Some of the heat of the fashion of Colapinto seems to have gone out for various reasons.”
READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto? Everything to know
Jack Doohan is being afforded more time – what must he do to save his F1 career?
Alpine engineers think Doohan is ‘nearly there’ after the weekend in Bahrain. The Aussie narrowly missed out on Q3 and was looking on course to score points, but fell back after the safety car period.
Alpine will give Doohan until the summer to prove himself and save his career. He will not want to waste this opportunity, but it is clear he has work to do.
The Aussie cannot afford to have any more heavy accidents. Doohan’s crash at Suzuka cost Alpine £1.3m – they will not want any more mistakes from the 23-year-old as they afford him more time.
His teammate is the benchmark in 2025 – Alpine will want to see the pair close on track after scoring their first points in Bahrain. Doohan has been close to Gasly in pace throughout the year thus far, but the Frenchman has done well to keep himself out of trouble besides a disqualification in China.
