The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix was another disappointing weekend for Alpine, and a particular incident may have helped decide its full line-up for 2026.
It has undoubtedly been a tough 2025 season for the Enstone-based squad, occupying the foot of the Constructors’ Championship with just 20 points.
All of those have been scored by Pierre Gasly, who, on numerous occasions, has seemed to summon some of his strongest performances, given the package beneath him.
The A525 has been unable to provide the team any continuity after it’s positive late-season showing last year, ultimately claiming sixth in the title from Haas.
This year has been fraught with troublesome moments, most notably the resignation of its Team Principal Oliver Oakes after the Miami Grand Prix.
It was also the last race for Jack Doohan, who appeared to be a dead man walking as reserve driver Franco Colapinto waited in the wings amid rumour of taking the Australian’s seat.
The Argentinian, who was sprung from his Williams contract, evidently impressed Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, who is now holding the fort on the pit wall.
Colapinto was initially given five races to prove himself, and has outlasted that deadline, but with no points and a myriad of rookie errors, there is no certainty of his future next year.
With Gasly recently committing his future to the team, the second seat was the only piece left in the puzzle, having secured fresh backroom personnel and a Mercedes engine deal.
Did Baku qualifying crash condemn Colapinto to the Alpine F1 scrapheap?
Briatore confirmed to The Race that Colapinto was in contention for the seat, along with its other reserve driver Paul Aron, who has partaken in FP1 sessions this year with both the team and Sauber.
“It’s between Franco and Paul,” he said. “Paul is a very nice guy, a very quick driver as well. And I need to understand what is the best for the team, you know?”
At Monza, Briatore said that November would likely be when a decision is made, but it is possible that the decision is closer to being reached.
In qualifying at Baku, Gasly caused a yellow flag by braking late and taking to the escape road at Turn 4. Moments later, Colapinto planted his car in the wall at the same corner.
The Azerbaijani TV director cut to a shot of Briatore in the Alpine garage, looking on and appearing to mouth the word ‘finito’.
Briatore placed an abundance of faith in Colapinto, the statement of buying out his Williams contract being sufficient proof of that, which sparked the likelihood of taking Doohan’s drive.
And despite surely taking into account the cumbersome package at his disposal, Colapinto has largely been inaffective in comparison to Gasly.
But there were signs of promise in Baku, as Colapinto on average lapped faster than Gasly, and has managed to out-qualify him in recent rounds, but whether the trend can continue is what could be the deciding factor.
Aron is highly-rated, having come close to the F2 title last year. A versatile driver, the Estonian also impressed in a one-off Formula E cameo two seasons ago.
It appears that Doohan is largely out of the picture, which heightens Colapinto’s chances, but regardless, it appears a driver of lesser experience will be trusted for 2026.
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