Clément Pédron, Media365, published on Saturday November 9, 2024 at 9:59 a.m.
According to Gazzetta dello sport, Flavio Briatore, the influential advisor of the Alpine team, plans to offer the seat to Franco Colapinto rather than Jack Doohan, who was made official last August.
Will the Alpine driver duo for the 2025 season be made up of Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan Jr? According to the team, yes since it made it official last August after the future departure of Esteban Ocon to Haas. While Formula 1 is currently on break before continuing with the last three Grand Prix of the season (Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi), a rumor is circulating in the paddock according to the press Italian. Indeed, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Jack Doohan Jr would ultimately not be guaranteed to start next season, despite official communication from all parties.
The transalpine daily claims that Flavio Briatore, the influential advisor of the Alpine team, has a completely different idea in mind regarding the teammate of the recent third in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Rather than trusting the reserve driver this year, the French team, via the Italian, would rather look at Franco Colapinto, currently in the Williams seat. Arriving at Monza to replace Logan Sargeant, the Argentinian is already causing a sensation and has collected five points in the drivers' standings thanks in particular to a fine 8th place in Azerbaijan. He also finished in 10th place at the United States GP in Austin.
A large sum to pay
Under the spell of Franco Colapinto, Flavio Briatore would, again according to the Italian press, be delighted to welcome him to Alpine even if it meant arousing the anger of Jack Doohan Jr. For the moment nothing has been done yet and the Australian remains the holder for 2025 until proven otherwise. But the idea germinates with the advisor and this instability could have consequences within the team which will then have to review its strategy. Without forgetting that to release the Argentinian, Alpine would have to pay a large sum of around 20 million euros. Status quo for the moment for the current 6th in the constructors' standings but there is no doubt that the coming weeks will be decisive for the team.
