Franco Colapinto is reportedly heading to Alpine (Image: Getty)
are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign despite having tied down to a contract for the 2025 season. Flavio Briatore is keeping his options open as he searches for ’s long-term team-mate.
The latest development in the Colapinto saga follows a report from . The Argentinian news outlet explained that Alpine are closing on an ‘agreement’ to sign the Pilar-born racer, and a deal is set to be announced imminently.
This is a brutal turn of events for Doohan, who made his debut at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, replacing the Haas-bound . The Australian racer reportedly has a six-race deal for 2025 that will keep him in a seat until the Miami Grand Prix, meaning he is under pressure to perform from the outset.
Team boss Briatore – who is also Doohan’s manager – added fuel to the fire when he gave an interview to Le Parisien. “The only thing we can be sure of is death,” he said, responding to the speculation.
“We’ll start the year with Pierre and Jack, I can guarantee that. After that, we’ll see as the season progresses. I have to get the team in the right condition to get results, and the driver is the one who has to conclude the work of nearly 1,000 people behind him.
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Jack Doohan is already under massive pressure at Alpine (Image: Getty)
“Everyone works for just two people. If there’s a driver who isn’t making progress, who isn’t bringing me results, I change him. You can’t be emotional in F1.”
Briatore’s admiration for Colapinto is publicly known. “I’m interested in any driver who is fast,” he told Auto Motor und Sport in Abu Dhabi. “If there was an opportunity to get Colapinto for 2026, you have to think about it.”
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The 21-year-old Argentinian racer enjoyed the dream start to life in F1, scoring points in two of the first four Grands Prix of his career after being parachuted in to replace the struggling for the final 10 races of the 2024 season.
At this point, Colapinto’s stock was sky high, and reports emerged linking him with a move to , either as ’s replacement, or as a driver for their sister team. Sauber were also interested, but opted to poach junior driver Gabriel Bortoleto instead.