Franco Colapinto is reported to be closing in on a role with Alpine, but a potential deal isn’t expected to have an impact on Jack Doohan’s Formula 1 drive as it stands.
Colapinto made an instant impact when he was placed into F1 mid-season with Williams in 2024, scoring on his second run in Baku as Logan Sargeant’s replacement.
But while he backed that up two races later with points in Austin, Colapinto’s nine-round stint wasn’t an audition to retain his seat as Williams had signed Carlos Sainz.
Colapinto’s exploits had earned him admirers elsewhere, though, with Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore spotted in talks with the driver at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Like Williams, Alpine has no space in its driver line-up as Doohan was confirmed as Pierre Gasly’s 2025 team-mate before Colapinto burst onto the scene at Monza.
Doohan made his F1 race debut at the last round in Abu Dhabi as Esteban Ocon was released in advance to participate in the post-season test with new team Haas.
Despite rumours circulating about Doohan even prior to his rookie campaign commencing, Briatore divulged that the Australian will commence 2025 alongside Gasly.
“We’ll start the year with Pierre and Jack, I can guarantee that,” he said in an interview with Le Parisien. “After that, we’ll see as the season progresses.”
Briatore doesn’t rule out Alpine mid-season swap
However, Briatore didn’t rule out a potential mid-season driver change in the circumstance where the rookie lagged a distance behind Gasly in the opening races.
“I have to get the team in the right condition to get results and the driver is the one who has to conclude the work of nearly 1,000 people behind him,” he continued.
“Everyone works for just two people. If there’s a driver who isn’t making progress, who isn’t bringing me results, I change him. You can’t be emotional in F1.”
Meanwhile, Briatore has since admitted that he is interested in reigniting his interest in Colapinto, stating to Auto Motor und Sport: “I’m interested in any driver who is fast.
“If there was an opportunity to get Colapinto for 2026, you have to think about it.”
Alpine has remained in talks over Colapinto
Williams boss James Vowles has voiced a willingness to negotiate a deal to let Colapinto go should it be a move that boosts his chances of getting onto the grid.
Vowles was known to have been locked in discussions with Red Bull until several shunts in the closing rounds prompted the group’s interest in Colapinto to subside.
But according to The Race, Alpine has remained at the table ever since initial conversations took place and the two parties are now expected to strike a deal.
That succeeded Argentine publication Diario Olé claiming that a “reliable source” has told it that Alpine is close to reaching an “agreement” regarding Colapinto’s services.
The outlet proceeded to report that an announcement will come “sooner than later” and is a pact that could result in Colapinto landing a full-time seat in 2025.
There has been widespread speculation that Doohan’s contract comprises certain exit clauses which Alpine can activate should he underdeliver in the nascent races.
Doohan appears at least guaranteed to start the season with his home race in Melbourne, but Colapinto’s impending arrival is bound to increase the pressure.
Colapinto’s presence will ensure the Anglo-French marque has a driver in its ranks with F1 pedigree, with both Paul Aron and Victor Martins’ experience restricted to Formula 2.
READ MORE – Alpine set to reignite interest in Franco Colapinto for F1 2026
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