Franco Colapinto is expected to debut for Alpine at Imola, as internal sources confirm a driver switch still pending official word.
Franco Colapinto will make his Formula 1 race debut with Alpine at the upcoming Imola Grand Prix, replacing Jack Doohan. But while the Argentine driver has landed the coveted seat—for now—his long-term future with the team remains uncertain.
According to several reliable sources close to the situation, the switch is confirmed internally and was largely driven by financial backing. Colapinto’s main sponsor, Argentine oil giant YPF, inadvertently revealed the news during the Miami Grand Prix weekend after its CEO let it slip when he thought the mic was off.
Colapinto steps in for Doohan, who had been under constant evaluation by Alpine management. However, the pressure now shifts to Colapinto himself. His deal with the team reportedly does not guarantee a seat for the rest of the season. Alpine is keeping its options open, and if Colapinto fails to impress, he could be replaced just as quickly.
The 21-year-old showed flashes of talent during his time in the Williams development program last year, but also caused costly mistakes. If results fall short, Alpine may consider bringing Doohan back or even giving Estonian prospect Paul Aron a shot.
It’s unclear when Alpine plans to make a formal assessment, but the British Grand Prix on July 6 could mark a key checkpoint—it’s the end of the season’s second quarter and roughly the halfway point. The summer break might also give Alpine time to rethink their driver strategy. That said, money talks: additional funding from Colapinto’s backers could buy him more time in the car.
This latest shuffle raises bigger questions about Alpine’s direction. Since the early departure of Esteban Ocon last year, the team has struggled to stabilize its second seat. While Doohan’s results, including a crash in Japan, didn’t help his case, insiders suggest his fate was sealed the moment Colapinto was named reserve driver over the winter.
Update 2:00 PM: Multiple sources now confirm that Alpine has informed staff at its Enstone headquarters about Colapinto’s promotion. An official announcement is expected very soon.
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Colapinto Set for Imola Debut as Alpine Eyes Shake-Up
Colapinto Set for Imola Debut as Alpine Eyes Shake-Up