For the majority of 2024, Alpine were at the centre of an intense and ever-evolving transfer market. Even after confirming that Jack Doohan would complete their 2025 line-up, speculation emerged that Alpine were in talks with Franco Colapinto. Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has addressed this.
Alpine confirm Franco Colapinto negotiations
During the final weeks of last year’s campaign, LWOS reported extensively on Alpine’s interest in Franco Colapinto.
The French outfit’s enthusiasm for Colapinto was at its height following the US GP, where the Argentine secured a second points finish for Williams.
At the time, Jack Doohan had already been announced for the 2025 season.
However, when Alpine signed Doohan, Colapinto was still racing in Formula 2 – and therefore not on the team’s radar.
This obviously changed as the year progressed, though, with Flavio Briatore seeing Colapinto as an attractive option for the team to pursue.
Owing to Doohan’s confirmed contract with Alpine, there was some scepticism about the reports suggesting a last-minute change to their line-up was on the cards.
Speaking after last season’s conclusion, Flavio Briatore responded candidly when asked if he ever negotiated with Colapinto:
“Yes, that’s true,” he is quoted as telling Sport Bild.
“I am always looking for the best options for us. [Gasly] did a great job last season, and we are starting the new season with him and Jack.
“But who knows what will happen. With Paul Aron we also have a strong reserve driver under contract,” Briatore added.
Will Alpine explore Colapinto route again?
It is unclear to how close Franco Colapinto was to securing an Alpine seat.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle that prevented a deal was his existing contract with Williams. The financial sum required to sign him away from James Vowles’ team, unsurprisingly, was not an insignificant amount.
Considering the results and sponsors that Colapinto brought to the team in such a short time span, Williams obviously value the 21-year-old highly.
Because of this, it is understood the Grove-based outfit’s asking price was too high for Briatore.
Another factor that likely hurt the Williams driver’s chances was his late-season incidents.
For all the praise he received after scoring points in Baku and COTA, his subsequent crashes were costly. Not just for the team, but for Colapinto’s market value as well.
READ MORE: Alpine target Championship contention by 2027
The timing of the Argentine’s incidents came at the worst possible time. Although Briatore was spotted talking with Colapinto as late as the Qatar GP, it is understood that a deal became increasingly out of reach.
Of course, the situation will change this season. Colapinto will be actively searching for an F1 seat. Crucially, his Williams contract is unlikely to complicate negotiations ahead of 2026.
Briatore has spoken openly about demanding the best from his driver pairings – meaning rookie Jack Doohan won’t have the luxury of breathing room in the opening few rounds.
Making predictions for how Alpine will operate in F1’s ‘silly season’ is always difficult.
With that said, if any team is going to make bold moves, it’s the one under Flavio Briatore’s leadership.
