Alpine has become a shock contender to sign Formula 1 rookie Franco Colapinto from Williams for the 2025 season, according to a report in the Italian media.
Colapinto has been turning heads since he made his F1 debut in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Before his Sao Paulo GP DNF, the Argentine finished no lower than 12th, scoring five points to date.
With Williams locked into deals with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz long-term, Colapinto has drawn interest from rival F1 outfits.
Despite already confirming Academy Driver Jack Doohan alongside Pierre Gasly for 2025, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Alpine is interested in signing Colapinto.
“It seems that [Alpine Advisor] Flavio Briatore has changed his mind and wants to steal from the competition the Argentine Colapinto,” the Italian publication wrote.
“If the operation materialises, it would mean the end of the dreams of Doohan Jr., who has long been in the role of reserve of the French team.”
Would Alpine part ways with Doohan in favour of Colapinto?
In the current era of F1, it has become apparent that driver contracts are worth little more than the paper they’re written on.
Still, the likelihood of Alpine severing ties with yet another Academy Driver appear slim, after letting the likes of Zhou Guanyu and Oscar Piastri – in painful circumstances – slip to rival teams.
However, Doohan is still a gamble given his lack of experience at F1 level bar a handful of Free Practice 1 appearances, whereas Colapinto has shown he has what it takes to compete.
Who could beat Alpine to signing Colapinto?
A far more likely destination for Colapinto would be within the Red Bull set-up.
Red Bull has a driver conundrum thanks to the woefully underperforming Sergio Perez, whose future beyond the end of this season is in jeopardy.
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have been assessing Liam Lawson amid his return to the F1 fold at RB and the New Zealander looks like a viable candidate to partner Max Verstappen in 2025.
That leaves a vacant seat alongside the overlooked Yuki Tsunoda.
Formula 2 title challenger Isack Hadjar is one option from within Red Bull’s Junior Programme, but again, his true level and experience make him a somewhat risky bet.
Horner was spotted visiting the Williams hospitality in Sao Paulo as rumours of a buyout ramped up.
Colapinto expects Williams to let him go if a firm 2025 offer arises and James Vowles has said “We’re exploring possibilities with a number of teams that are interested at the moment.”
READ MORE – Williams explains Red Bull hospitality visit amid Franco Colapinto F1 interest
