Fresh Speculation Swirls Around Franco Colapinto’s Impending Alpine F1 Debut
The Formula 1 world is buzzing with anticipation as rumors circulate about Franco Colapinto’s potential debut with Alpine, possibly replacing Jack Doohan in the upcoming races.
Ever since Jack Doohan’s debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024, his future with Alpine has been under constant scrutiny. The speculation intensified when Alpine secured Colapinto as a reserve driver from Williams before the 2025 season, with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore openly expressing his admiration for the Argentine talent.
The plot thickened when YPF CEO Horacio Marin, a major supporter of Colapinto, hinted at the young driver’s debut during an interview on the A24 news channel. Although Marin avoided direct questions about Colapinto’s debut, a slip of the tongue mentioning “Imola” right before a commercial break has set tongues wagging.
If Colapinto were to debut at Imola, it would signal a swift and bold move by Alpine, which has publicly supported Doohan thus far. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Doohan’s position, the team’s spokesperson, Oliver Oakes, has expressed contentment with Doohan’s performance, stating, “So far it’s been ok. He’s staying calm and focusing on himself.”
While Doohan has shown promise on the track, with a performance that hasn’t been overshadowed by teammate Pierre Gasly, his lack of points in the current F1 season has raised concerns. Motorsport expert Johnny Herbert believes that Doohan’s race performance is where he may face challenges, stating, “If it doesn’t happen, then it will be Colapinto, for sure.”
As the F1 community eagerly awaits official confirmation, the potential shake-up at Alpine could have far-reaching implications for both Doohan and Colapinto, shaping the dynamics of the team for the races to come.
Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in the high-octane world of Formula 1.