Flavio Briatore, the former Formula 1 team boss renowned for his keen eye for spotting talent, has expressed confidence in rising star Franco Colapinto, hinting at a possible elevation of his role within the Alpine A525 team. This comes amid speculations that Colapinto could be in line for a full-time gig before the close of the F1 2025 season.
Colapinto made a splash in the previous season, stepping in to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams. He succeeded in scoring points, a feat that had eluded Sargeant throughout his 16-race tenure in F1 2024. This performance garnered the attention of both Red Bull and Alpine, with the latter securing the Argentinean driver’s signature in the off-season, thereby making him the team’s official reserve driver.
Despite not making the starting lineup for the Australian Grand Prix, with Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly representing Alpine, industry insiders hint that Colapinto’s time in the driver’s seat could be imminent. Even outside the car, the young driver is already proving to be a valuable asset for Alpine. The team recently added Latin American e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, who also happen to be Colapinto’s personal sponsor, to their list of F1 2025 sponsors.
But Briatore’s enthusiasm for the 21-year-old driver isn’t just about his marketability. He believes Colapinto’s speed, communication skills with the engineers, and his overall dedication make him a significant asset to the team. Speaking to Argentinean broadcaster, Eltrece, Briatore praised Colapinto’s potential, stating, “He’s quick. He’s a very, very good driver. He needs some experience, but we believe in Franco.”
The question on everyone’s lips, however, is whether Colapinto will be behind the wheel of the A525 before the 2025 season concludes. Rumours suggest that he might fill Doohan’s seat, given that the Australian driver’s contract allegedly only guarantees him a few races. Briatore has confirmed that he made promises to Colapinto, but has remained coy about the specifics or a timeline for their fulfilment.
Colapinto himself expressed that while he is currently a reserve driver, his move to Alpine has opened up greater possibilities for him to race full time in the future compared to if he had stayed with Williams. He also expressed pride in being chosen by Briatore, who is known for spotting talents like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
Meanwhile, Doohan has downplayed the speculation surrounding his seat and Colapinto’s role in the team. Speaking with the media ahead of the F1 75 launch event, he said, “I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver. I think regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world — and I know when I was in a go-kart, Formula 3, Formula 2, I would do anything to be in Formula 1 and sacrifice everything.”
Doohan, who was also a reserve driver at 21, didn’t seem to feel threatened by Colapinto’s arrival, stating, “I don’t think necessarily that someone inside the team, outside the team, anyone that’s performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders, because you’re in such a cut-throat sport.”
With the F1 2025 season well underway, it remains to be seen whether Colapinto’s rise continues in the high-octane world of Formula 1, and whether Briatore’s faith in the young Argentinean will pay off. One thing is clear though, the world of F1 never lacks drama both on and off the track.
