Franco Colapinto: A Driver on the Brink, but Alpine Stands Firm in Support
In a world where Formula 1 careers can evaporate overnight, Alpine’s steadfast commitment to Franco Colapinto is nothing short of a gamble in the high-stakes casino of motorsport. Despite a tumultuous start to the 2025 season, Colapinto’s position as Alpine’s second driver appears more secure than ever—at least for now. The Argentine talent is navigating through what some might call a “difficult second album” phase, but he continues to enjoy the backing of the team and, crucially, Flavio Briatore, as he desperately seeks to regain his form.
As the F1 season unfolds, Colapinto’s struggles have become a side story that rivals even the soap opera surrounding Red Bull’s search for a teammate to Max Verstappen. While Pierre Gasly has been scoring points—20 in total—Colapinto has been stuck in the mud, just like his predecessor Jack Doohan, with a disappointing zero points after eight races in the A525. This is not the promising start fans expected when Colapinto burst onto the scene with Williams, dazzling everyone with impressive performances after stepping in for the lackluster Logan Sargeant.
Once hailed as the next big thing in F1, Colapinto’s rise has been marred by mistakes and misfortunes, including a catastrophic crash in qualifying in Las Vegas that caused Red Bull to distance themselves. Nevertheless, Alpine, in a bold move, locked him in on a five-year deal, positioning him as the reserve driver behind Gasly and Doohan. However, the tables turned when Doohan was ousted after six races, making way for Colapinto, who has since struggled to make his mark.
After a summer break filled with pressure, Colapinto showed slight signs of life by out-qualifying Gasly at the Hungaroring, only to later crash during a tire test, further complicating the team’s budget and workload. The question looms: will Alpine make the necessary changes to boost their performance? They could easily reinstate Doohan or promote their leading reserve driver, Paul Aron, but all indicators suggest that Colapinto will remain in the cockpit as the team hopes to nurture his confidence.
In an era where young drivers are expected to shine immediately—think Max Verstappen or Oscar Piastri—Colapinto’s struggles highlight a crucial truth: the path to success in F1 often takes time. Even legendary drivers like Sebastian Vettel faced rocky starts before achieving greatness. As Franz Tost, a seasoned team boss, points out, rookies often need a minimum of three years to truly find their footing. Tost emphasizes that crashing is part of the learning curve, stating, “If the drivers don’t crash, they don’t know the limit.”
Yet, in a cost-conscious F1 universe, teams are less willing to exercise patience. The financial burden of broken parts weighs heavily, making the decision to stick with an underperforming driver a double-edged sword. However, Alpine’s commitment to Colapinto deserves applause; it reflects a desire to give him the time necessary to rediscover the talent that once made him a hot commodity.
Colapinto’s sponsorship attractiveness has also played a role in his continued presence. His connection to major Latin American sponsors like Claro and Mercado Libre adds commercial value that cannot be overlooked. However, without a pre-season testing program, he’s learning on the job—a risky strategy that could pay off or backfire spectacularly.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for Colapinto. If he fails to demonstrate significant improvement in the upcoming races, Alpine will have no choice but to consider alternatives, potentially looking at Aron—who is gaining experience with Sauber—or even bringing back the sidelined Doohan. The pressure is mounting, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As it stands, Alpine’s decision to support Colapinto is a high-risk, high-reward scenario. Should he rise to the challenge, it could validate Alpine’s long-term investment and provide the confidence boost he so desperately needs. But if he falters again, the team’s patience may wear thin, leading to a reshuffle that could see Colapinto’s F1 future hanging by a thread. One thing is clear: the drama surrounding Colapinto and Alpine is far from over, and fans will be glued to their screens as this gripping saga unfolds.