Williams Racing driver Franco Colapinto is facing an uncertain future despite his brilliant start to life in Formula 1. After his first five Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto already has five points and could realistically overtake Alex Albon in the Drivers’ Championship is results go his way. Albon has been unfortunate in their time together, retiring from the Singapore Grand Prix before being caught up in a racing incident with Yuki Tsunoda in Mexico.
However, that shouldn’t take anything away from Colapinto who has exceeded everyone’s expectations since his debut at Monza. A Q3 appearance in Azerbaijan led to four points, before Colapinto nearly set the fastest lap on his way to a 10th-place finish in Austin. Unfortunately, none of these performances are going to be enough to earn him a seat at Williams next year.
Albon and Carlos Sainz are already confirmed for 2025, but a report from Auto Motor und Sport suggests that another team on the grid have had their head turned by the 21-year-old. Alpine now interested in signing Franco Colapinto from WilliamsTeam principal James Vowles suddenly has a very nice problem to overcome at Williams because of Colapinto’s overachievement. The Argentinian wasn’t expected to be this competitive this quickly and suddenly it feels very harsh that he doesn’t have a seat on the grid next year.
Sauber have been linked with Colapinto as they’re yet to fill their second seat for next year alongside Nico Hulkenberg. There’s plenty of speculation about what’s happening with Red Bull’s two teams, and Colapinto has been suggested as an option for RB. Now, AMuS believe that £700m-valued Alpine have added their name to the list of teams who are keen on Colapinto.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty ImagesAlpine chief Flavio Briatore has been impressed by Colapinto and wants to take advantage of his potential availability. READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to statsWilliams can only offer Colapinto a reserve driver role, with Sainz and Albon contracted until at least the end of the 2026 season. The team would be happy to let him go if a race seat comes up before then but for the right price.
Alpine have already signed Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan for next year, but the Australian is only on a one-year deal. The suggestion is that Briatore has made his interest in Colapinto for 2026 clear already, in case he needs a new driver for that campaign, which would suit Williams too as they would be able to continue developing the 21-year-old for another year. What paddock rumours say about Jack Doohan’s Alpine moveGasly has been part of the Alpine team since the beginning of 2023 and looks set to beat Esteban Ocon for the second season in succession in the Drivers’ Championship.
Doohan has patiently waited for his chance at Alpine and been a vital cog in helping them over race weekends with his work in the simulator. His FP1 sessions haven’t got to plan this year with weather impacting his one-hour runs in this year’s Alpine. READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineageThere’s been a suggestion that Briatore may have played a key role in Doohan earning Alpine’s second seat.
The Australian is talented but unproven and having a driver like Colapinto available in case of emergencies would be perfect for Alpine. The Argentinian driver also bring a huge cohort of fans and an impressive array of sponsors as Williams’s current livery displays.
