Franco Colapinto is receiving immense interest across the F1 paddock. Aside from Red Bull’s now well-established campaign to sign the Argentine, Alpine have emerged as another team pursuing Colapinto. This adds another variable to the ever-evolving driver market equation.
Franco Colapinto is still in high demand
In theory, Gabriel Bortoleto’s move to Sauber means that the 2025 grid is now complete.
However, things are rarely this simple in Formula 1. Red Bull, in almost traditional fashion, could make another driver change ahead of next season.
Not only is Colapinto a legitimate candidate to join VCARB, but there have been suggestions he could be immediately put alongside Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s doubts over Sergio Perez have pushed them to explore alternatives elsewhere – including those beyond their own academy.
Franco Colapinto is firmly on Red Bull’s radar, with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko both expressing interest in his services.
Although both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have delivered strong performances for VCARB, the reigning Champions still have reservations about these options.
This has led them to negotiations with Franco Colapinto’s camp.
However, they are not the only team expressing interest in the 21-year-old. It is now understood that Alpine have entered the race for his signature.
Alpine enter the mix
On paper, Alpine’s 2025 driver line-up is already set in stone. Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan are both contracted for next season.
However (much like Red Bull) Alpine are still thinking about strengthening for the future.
The French team are understood to be in talks with Colapinto’s management, as first reported by German outlet AMuS last week.
Under the leadership of Flavio Briatore, the Enstone team are in a transitional phase. Despite their fantastic double-podium in Brazil, their performance over the last few seasons has steadily declined.
Because of this, Alpine are positioning themselves to be front-runners when the new regulations begin in 2026.
Considering the impressive speed that Franco Colapinto has demonstrated so quickly, in addition to his commercial impact, it is logical that Alpine see him as a desirable target.
Jack Doohan, who will drive alongside Pierre Gasly next year, still has the potential to establish himself as an asset in his rookie season.
However, the Australian’s one-year deal means that – in theory – Alpine can freely evaluate alternatives ahead of 2026.
This is partly why Alpine are able to test the waters with Franco Colapinto.
Abrupt driver changes are not unfamiliar to the Enstone team, as evidenced by Ocon’s departure earlier this year.
If Colapinto is available for 2026, it would not be unrealistic for Alpine to pursue his signature.
Meanwhile, Williams are still evaluating Colapinto’s best path forward – whilst trying to retain their own connections with the 21-year-old.
This means that Alpine’s offers, like those from Red Bull, will be taken into account.
Williams receiving several offers for Colapinto
Speaking of Colapinto’s Williams deal, the Argentine’s current agreement is complicating Red Bull’s efforts to secure his services.
The Austrian team would prefer to sign him as a full-time driver, rather than on a short-term “loan spell” that would see him return to Williams after a set period.
From the Williams perspective, giving Colapinto away at this stage would be a huge loss – especially considering the criticism they received when they first promoted the 21-year-old.
Alpine, meanwhile, can be slightly more flexible in negotiations.
Whilst this certainly does not guarantee they can reach an agreement, it gives the Enstone outfit a different angle to approach contract talks.
Over the coming weeks, several scenarios will present themselves to Franco Colapinto for 2025 and beyond.
Regardless of whether he earns a place on next year’s grid, the interest shown by Alpine and Red Bull is unlikely to evaporate any time soon.
Over the coming weeks, Colapinto’s contract situation will remain one of the biggest topics in F1 news circles.
