Almost a year after making his F1 debut with Williams in Monza 2024, Franco Colapinto finds himself back on the grid as a full-time driver – this time with Alpine.
Unlike last season, however, Colapinto has a realistic chance of keeping his seat with the team.
This increases the pressure on the 21-year-old to deliver with Alpine, irrespective of the abrupt nature of his promotion.
Aware that Alpine have a significant pool of drivers to draw from, Colapinto believes he can deliver results quickly.
Colapinto under pressure to perform within five races
Even before Colapinto’s full-time seat with Alpine was confirmed, his return to the grid was widely seen as inevitable.
Numerous outlets, including LWOS, outlined the nature of the Argentine’s contract with the team – which he signed in January.
Despite Doohan’s existing contract, Colapinto was offered a long-term deal with Alpine.
The multi-year nature of this agreement, understandably, created immediate speculation about Alpine potentially making a mid-season swap.
These murmurs weren’t helped by Flavio Briatore admitting in pre-season that Doohan might not finish 2025 with the team.
Because of this, it is not a massive surprise to see Colapinto being appointed alongside Pierre Gasly.
What is slightly more unusual, however, is that he is only confirmed in the A525 for the next five races.
As already mentioned, Colapinto’s contract with the team would suggest he is a part of Briatore’s long-term vision for Alpine.
Alpine also paid a substantial fee to sign Colapinto, who was previously committed to Williams.
With this context, a lack of confirmation that he will end the season at the team is something of a shock.
This is not to suggest that he is incapable of delivering strong results and convincing Alpine to keep him for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.
Still, the fact Colapinto still has to convince the team he deserves his new seat somewhat contradicts the investment that went into his acquisition.
Other drivers in Alpine’s driver pool
It is true that a number of reserve drivers, including Paul Aron, are also in the Enstone outfit’s driver pool.
Alpine might be tempted to give Aron some track time later in the season, should the Estonian’s pace in TPC tests prove impressive.
With all that said, there can be no denying that the situation is more complicated than most observers anticipated.
Seemingly unphased by his uncertain position, Franco Colapinto insists he is ready for the challenge:
“I am very excited to be going into race week for the first time since December.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity and now I have to get up to speed and showcase what I am capable of doing in the car.”
Of course, Colapinto is not the first driver involved in a swap this year.
Having also arrived at Williams mid-season in 2024, the Argentine is no stranger to being forced to adapt quickly:
“I will aim to work hard with the team and try to get on the pace quickly in order to contribute to the team’s ambitions for the weekend.
“It has been a great first few months with everyone at Enstone with some TPC running in the 2023 car and time in the simulator.
“So I am definitely feeling ready and prepared.”
Main photo: Williams Media Gallery
