Colapinto’s F1 ambitions depend on big money and big rumours at Alpine – Franco Colapinto may be on the verge of making his long-awaited Formula One debut, but the door to the Alpine seat currently occupied by Jack Doohan will not swing open without considerable financial muscle. While talent and momentum will play their part, the battle for a full-time drive is increasingly becoming a question of who can bring the bigger cheque to the table.
Backed by some of Argentina’s most prominent sponsors, Colapinto is ready and waiting, but unseating a driver like Doohan – who brings both promise and substantial funding – will not be as simple as turning up in a race suit and helmet.
The Argentinian prospect, currently Alpine’s reserve driver on loan from Williams, remains a hot topic in the paddock following his strong performances in the early stages of the 2024 season. But despite the buzz, his path to a full-time seat is mired in complex political and financial machinations. Behind the scenes, Alpine appear to be weighing up Colapinto’s commercial potential and growing fan base against the proven backing and stability that Doohan offers.
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The Briatore influence & a high-stakes loan deal
Colapinto’s promotion to Alpine’s reserve driver role was orchestrated with some heavyweight management influence. The presence of Flavio Briatore, the once-banned former Renault team principal and now special advisor to Alpine, is said to be key to Colapinto’s arrival. Briatore was instrumental in negotiating the deal that secured Colapinto’s loan from Williams, an arrangement that cost Alpine several million euros and raised eyebrows in the paddock.
The move was widely interpreted as a sign of Alpine’s waning patience with Jack Doohan, who has endured a difficult start to his rookie season alongside the more experienced Pierre Gasly. But so far Doohan has held on to his seat. With Gasly settling into the team and continuing to score points, the spotlight remains firmly on the young Australian.
Although Briatore is known for pulling strings and making bold decisions, sources within the team suggest that any attempt to replace Doohan with Colapinto mid-season would require a substantial financial offer to counterbalance the €10 million backing that Doohan brings.
With that in mind, Colapinto’s sponsors will have to dig deeper if they want to buy their way onto the grid in 2025 – or perhaps sooner.
Ralf Schumacher raises doubts about Doohan
The debate over Doohan’s performance took on a sharper tone recently when former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher questioned the rookie’s long-term potential in an interview with Sky Deutschland. While Schumacher stopped short of criticising Helmut Marko’s famously ruthless style, his endorsement was lukewarm at best.
“I don’t want to be as harsh as Dr Marko and call Doohan a C-grade driver,” said Schumacher. “But in my opinion he is not good enough for Formula One.”
Schumacher acknowledged that Doohan faces a tough comparison in team-mate Pierre Gasly, who not only brings years of experience to the table but is also firmly entrenched in the Alpine team set-up.
That makes direct comparisons less fair, he conceded, but the bottom line remains: “Compared to other rookies, Doohan doesn’t look like someone who will fight for the title at some point.”
Such criticism is likely to increase the pressure on Doohan as the season progresses, especially with Colapinto’s continued presence in the background and speculation mounting as to his next move.
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Rumours of missed payments and sponsor turmoil
Colapinto’s sponsors, including Argentinean e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, are already highly visible on Alpine’s 2025 livery. Their involvement is widely seen as part of the groundwork for Colapinto’s future promotion. But that plan may have hit a snag.
During the Saudi Grand Prix there were whispers that one of Colapinto’s main backers may have missed a scheduled payment – an issue that could delay or derail carefully laid plans to install him alongside Gasly.
Mercado Libre remains fully committed, but it’s believed that Alpine management want further financial guarantees before making any changes to their driver line-up.
The missing sponsorship instalment, whether temporary or symptomatic of a wider instability, has given Doohan at least a temporary reprieve. Paddock sources suggest that he has been given until the summer break to prove himself worthy of retaining his seat.
And therein lies the delicate balance. Unless Colapinto’s backers can match or exceed the €10 million that Doohan’s sponsors have pledged, any change of driver would likely require an ironclad justification based on performance alone – something that neither driver has been able to decisively provide so far.
Imola whisper sparks Colapinto return to the grid story
A further twist in the Colapinto saga came when Horacio Marin, CEO of Argentinean energy company YPF, seemed to inadvertently reveal the next chapter in the saga. During a television appearance on A24, Marin initially played coy when asked about Colapinto’s return to F1, saying “I don’t know”.
Moments later, however, a live microphone caught him muttering “In Imola”.
The comment has sparked wild speculation ahead of the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. If true, Colapinto’s return to the cockpit would not necessarily signal a full-time race seat. It’s far more likely that he would take part in a free practice session as part of Alpine’s young driver allocation, a move allowed under current FIA rules.
While these opportunities are usually given to rookies or development drivers, Colapinto’s case is somewhat unique, having already competed in nine races this season.
Nevertheless, the Imola comment was enough to fuel the rumour mill. Could Alpine be preparing to test the public reaction to Colapinto’s presence in an official session? Or is this just a PR gesture to keep his sponsors happy and involved? One thing is clear: Marin’s slip has added fuel to a fire that was already crackling with intrigue.
Colapinto vs. Doohan: A battle off the track
This power struggle at the Alpine is more than just two young drivers vying for the same seat. It’s emblematic of a wider shift in F1, where commercial influence is increasingly determining career trajectories. While Colapinto is a fan favourite in Argentina and a proven talent, particularly after his stint earlier this year, the reality of modern F1 means that merit alone is rarely enough.
Doohan’s father, motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, has been instrumental in securing high-profile sponsorship, ensuring that Jack has the financial firepower to remain relevant despite a rocky start to the season. Alpine’s management, now under intense pressure from stakeholders and with a history of abrupt decision-making, will have to consider whether Colapinto represents not only a sporting upgrade but also a stronger long-term investment.
Until then, all eyes will be on Imola. Whether it’s a free practice session or something more dramatic, Colapinto’s presence will be scrutinised for any sign of Alpine’s next move. The message is simple: if Franco Colapinto is to take this seat, his backers will have to turn up the volume – both in terms of media noise and cold, hard cash.
Do you think Colapinto will get his chance at Alpine before the summer break?
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
