By Mark Gero
When current Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore replaced Australian Jack Doohan after six races of the 2025 formula one season, the Italian figured that up-and-coming Argentinian Franco Colapinto would be the best replacement for the former diver, who had been the test driver the previous season.
But now, with only a few races to go to this year, it has been obvious that Colapinto was not the right move to make for Briatore. As a matter of fact, Colapinto has not had one point earned this season, since he took over for Doohan back in May.
What has been more embarrassing is that Colapinto crashed into the barriers next to his teammate Pierre Gasly, after the Frenchman went off the street circuit in Baku two weeks ago.
Many figured that Colapinto would be replaced immediately. But for some reason, Briatore, who likes to keep his drivers for a long time, might still resign his driver, who he thought would be a good teammate for Gasly.
But Briatore now has decided that the second driver for next season to partner Gasly, who just signed a two-year extension, will be down to three that are currently employed with Alpine: Colapinto, Doohan and the Estonian Paul Aron.
For the moment, this decision will take place around the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, and for Colapinto, any more errors will make Briatore decide that he will probably not be selected after Colapinto had such good results with Williams last year, when he replaced American Logan Sargant, who also had miserable results.
It seems to be happening to Colapinto as well, and even Doohan might have an outside chance to retake the seat that he lost. But the dark horse in this is Aron, who has not really done too much in the way of Alpine, with a few practice one drives in not only for the French team, but for Sauber as well. The results were not great, but the driver has not really had too much experience yet, but the talent does show in a way if Aron got more time in the car, a permanent drive would be the best thing for him, especially since he has not had too many accidents, such as Colapinto.
With no other drivers who can better these three choices happening, it is very much down to Colapinto’s performances in the last few rounds, and for a driver who has to follow his countrymen such as Carlos Reutteman and Gaston Mazzacane, it could be tough way to happen, especially if he gets replaced, where there might not be another chance for a driver who comes from a country that is not full of talent for formula one drivers already.
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