Formula 1: Jack Doohan replacement already emerging for Alpine?

As a long-time Formula One enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of rising stars and unexpected twists in the world of motorsport. The story of Franco Colapinto, however, has been nothing short of captivating.

As a dedicated fan, I couldn’t help but notice when Franco Colapinto was tapped as Logan Sargeant’s substitute following the Dutch Grand Prix. Initially, it seemed like Williams might have had another driver in mind. Yet, little did we know that this Argentinian racer was about to dazzle us with his exceptional performance throughout the 2024 F1 season. His stellar drive caught the attention of multiple teams on the grid, making him a highly sought-after contender for a coveted seat in 2025.

Although Colapinto was a strong contender for a seat in teams like Red Bull and Alpine for the upcoming season, their interest waned as both teams decided to stick with their original plans. Red Bull opted to drop Sergio Perez and promote Liam Lawson from their ranks, with Isack Hadjar appearing likely to take over from Lawson, while Alpine had previously signed Jack Doohan for the 2025 season.

It appears that James Vowles, head of Williams team, made every effort to get the 21-year-old driver on the grid in 2025, but it seems unlikely at this point. A series of accidents by Colapinto have raised some doubts among teams due to his limited experience in Formula 1.

However, Flavio Briatore, rejoining Alpine as a consultant this season, aims to recruit Colapinto for 2026, considering that Doohan’s contract is limited to just one year.

Colapinto’s path to Alpine is clear

Contrary to earlier speculations suggesting that Doohan would be replaced by Colapinto before the 2025 season, it appears that Doohan intends to honor his contract, following his recent debut in Abu Dhabi. However, Colapinto stands a strong chance of driving for Alpine in 2026, as there is widespread agreement that Doohan’s tenure will likely end after the 2025 season.

It might boil down to whether Alpine prefers to provide an opportunity in Formula 1 to Colapinto instead of Paul Aron, since Aron has recently joined Alpine as their reserve driver.

One key thing to note is the fact that Briatore was seen with Colapinto and his agent during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, a week before the season finale. There is still mutual interest, and the Alpine advisor could play a major role in deciding the team’s future driver lineup.

In 2025, Colapinto’s main challenge might lie in his minimal participation on the track, as he may only have restricted testing opportunities and occasional free practice sessions. Conversely, Doohan will be evaluated based on his performance during races.

Despite Colapinto’s performance and Alpine’s interest, he might secure a permanent position with the Enstone-based team in 2026. In simpler terms, his good performance and Alpine’s attention could potentially lead to him getting a full-time job with that team in 2026.

2024-12-27 14:32

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