Briatore told Ecclestone he ‘definitely wants Colapinto for 2025’
While Alpine did not directly comment on rumours that Franco Colapinto could replace Jack Doohan next year, they did quash the rumours by posting a video of Doohan training with the caption: “Preparations continue for 2025”.
Alpine announced in August that Doohan would partner Pierre Gasly next season, replacing Esteban Ocon who is moving to Haas.
However, according to Italian Gazetta dello Sport, Alpine’s advisor Flavio Briatore wants to sign Williams’ young star Franco Colapinto and therefore Doohan’s place in the team is in danger.
The report said: “Flavio Briatore appears to have changed his mind and wants to take Argentine Franco Colapinto from his rivals. If that happens, Doohan’s dreams could be over, having been the team’s reserve driver for a long time.”
Following this news, the Times claimed that Briatore wanted to sign the Williams driver and that Alpine, unlike Red Bull, were “understood to be more open to the idea of a loan deal”.
Williams team boss James Vowles has confirmed that the team is in talks with other teams about the young driver, as they are unable to offer Colapinto an F1 race seat in 2025 due to their agreement with Carlos Sainz.
“We’re just looking at what options are available for his future at the moment. Hopefully we’ll have some news to share soon. But there’s not much else to talk about at the moment,” Vowles told Sky F1.
While the rumors persist, Alpine has not made any official statement on the matter.
However, the team released a video of Doohan working out on a treadmill, with the caption: “2025 preparations continue.”
While Alpine took small steps to dispel the rumours, Bernie Ecclestone told Blick that Briatore had called him to express his interest in the Williams rookie.
According to the Swiss publication, Briatore told Ecclestone that he “definitely wants Colapinto for 2025” and that the $20 million price tag the Argentine has in mind is “not a problem” for him.
While Briatore will need to remove Doohan from the team to make way for Colapinto, Ecclestone said: “In Formula 1, anything is possible until the money is in the bank.”
