Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has insisted that Jack Doohan will begin the 2025 Formula 1 season amid the team signing Franco Colapinto to a reserve role.
The Enstone-based squad has announced that an agreement has been reached with Williams to release Colapinto, who has penned a multi-term deal with his new side.
Colapinto burst onto the scene last term when he replaced Logan Sargeant mid-season, impressing with two points finishes in his nine-race stint alongside Alex Albon.
But retaining that seat was never an option as Williams had snapped up multiple race winner Carlos Sainz to partner incumbent Albon prior to Colapinto’s emergence.
Meanwhile, Colapinto ending his interim spell with several shunts prompted Red Bull and Sauber’s initial interest to subside, consigning him to a spell on the sidelines.
However, Colapinto’s Alpine switch has prompted reports a return could be on the cards, with Williams boss James Vowles indicating that might even transpire in 2025.
The Argentine’s comeback could come at Jack Doohan’s expense as speculation has swirled that Alpine could move aside the Australian to promote its newest recruit.
Briatore, though, has said Doohan, who made his F1 debut at the final round in Abu Dhabi last month, will start the upcoming season with Pierre Gasly in Alpine’s A525.
Asked whether Doohan was certain to commence the 2025 campaign before the Colapinto news, Briatore told Le Parisien: “The only thing we can be sure of is death!
“We’ll start the year with Pierre and Jack, I can guarantee that.”
Doohan continuation depends on results
But Briatore has implied that Doohan’s continuation will depend on how he stacks up against Gasly as he reiterated his willingness to impose a mid-season change.
“After that, we’ll see as the season progresses,” he continued.
“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. 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.”
Colapinto ‘among best talents in motorsport’
The Italian has expressed his admiration towards Colapinto on numerous occasions and has dubbed his newest prospect “among the best talents in motorsport.”
“We are very pleased to come to an agreement with Williams Racing to sign Franco Colapinto,” Briatore beamed.
“Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now. It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula 1 grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver
“We have an eye on our future and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success.”
READ MORE – Williams explains decision to release Franco Colapinto to Alpine
