The F1 preseason always brings unexpected moves, and the latest shake-up in F1 news is that Franco Colapinto Joins Alpine! After the 2024 season, the rookie showed glimpses that he deserves a seat in the sport.
His arrival at Williams came thanks to the underperformance of Logan Sargeant, making his debut at the Italian GP, where he achieved an impressive P12. In his second Formula 1 race, Azerbaijan, he managed to score crucial points in the F1 standings, both for himself and his team.
Many F1 teams set their sights on the Argentine driver, as he quickly demonstrated the speed and charisma needed to remain a relevant presence on the grid. Colapinto’s journey seemed tied to Williams, but Carlos Sainz’s arrival at the iconic team made it impossible for him to secure a permanent seat. Despite this, James Vowles and the entire organization expressed satisfaction with his performance.
Alpine offered him a reserve driver contract that was tempting enough for the 21-year-old to view it as an exciting opportunity.
Colapinto’s and/or Doohan’s Future
Alpine’s F1 drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season are Pierre Gasly, a driver with experience and proven quality, and Jack Doohan, one of the six rookies debuting next season. But the news that Franco Colapinto Joins Alpine could shake things up for the French team.
Should the Australian rookie be worried? The answer is yes. Flavio Briatore publicly stated that his team isn’t there to experiment—they need results. If a driver isn’t performing as expected, he wouldn’t hesitate to make a change.
This puts enormous pressure on the rookie, as his contract guarantees him only six races. This leaves Jack Doohan with little room for error. He will be driving for a team desperate for results, competing alongside a seasoned driver in Gasly and against a reserve driver who, in addition to having more F1 experience, has the non-verbal approval of the entire sport.