As part of a strategic assessment of its driver line-up for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, the BWT Alpine Formula One Team has announced a rotation of one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the season. Franco Colapinto, the team’s Test & Reserve Driver, will partner with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix onwards, in a move designed to evaluate both drivers’ performance before the British Grand Prix in July.
Colapinto, who will race under the number #43 on the A525, will make his debut alongside Gasly in Imola, with the following races scheduled in Monaco, Spain, Canada, and Austria. This decision allows the team to gain crucial insights into their driver line-up ahead of the 2026 season, which Alpine sees as a key year for their ambitions.
Flavio Briatore’s Statement
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor to the team, explained the rationale behind the rotation: “Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races. With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, which the team has drastically improved in the past 12 months, we are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up. We also know the 2026 season will be an important one for the team and having a complete and fair assessment of the drivers this season is the right thing to do in order to maximise our ambitions next year.”
Jack Doohan’s Role
Jack Doohan, who has been performing well in his role as a Test & Reserve Driver, remains a key part of Alpine’s structure. Briatore reassured that Doohan would continue as the team’s first-choice Reserve Driver, emphasizing his professionalism and dedication to his position. The five-race rotation with Colapinto will allow Alpine to make a thorough assessment of both their current drivers and potential future options.
Looking Ahead
As the team heads into the next phase of the season, this evaluation period will provide valuable insights into the performance of Colapinto and Gasly. Alpine is keen to ensure that its line-up for the 2026 season is optimized for success, and the next five races will give the team a closer look at how the drivers perform under competitive race conditions.
