It is a fact that expectations for Franco Colapinto‘s future at Alpine are growing with every race, and even more so with the approach of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend. This will be a key event for both the Argentinean and current driver Jack Doohan.
Franco Colapinto was offered €10 million to take Doohan’s seat
So far, it is known that the Pilar-born driver will remain at the team’s headquarters in Enstone, assisting his teammates from afar as he did in the last races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
In this context, the 21-year-old Argentine got into the Alpine team’s simulator, but both Franco and the Enstone management know that this will not be the case for long. In other words, Colapinto will not be watching the action from the sidelines for many more races.
Thus, although there is no official confirmation and Alpine has already confirmed Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly as its starting drivers for the Miami Grand Prix, hopes of seeing the Argentine in Formula 1 are growing ahead of the next Grand Prix races. This is mainly due to the lifeline that has come to ‘7’, Jack Doohan. A lifeline that is worth millions.
Dohan is assured of being an official driver until the summer thanks to his sponsors
So far, it is known that the Australian’s extension has to do with finances. The support that Flavio Briatore thought he could find in Argentina for Franco to get the wheel has not materialized, and on the contrary, Doohan has reportedly secured around ten million euros from his personal Australian sponsors. According to the information that has come to light, this 10 million euros will have been enough to secure Jack’s seat until the summer.
Franco Colapinto, who caught the world’s attention when he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams last season, is the French team’s reserve driver. Although Briatore seems to be leaning towards Colapinto, Doohan has supporters within the team.
“That’s why it’s perhaps a little harsh and unfair, but I would say that compared to the other rookies, you can see that he’s someone who may not necessarily be competing for the world championship at some point, so to speak,” said Ralf Schumacher in recent hours, who ended his participation by clarifying that ‘if Colapinto’s money doesn’t come through, then I don’t think he’ll be replaced for the time being,’ in reference to Doohan.
Briatore opts for Colapinto: ‘He’ll get behind the wheel sooner or later’
“He’ll get behind the wheel sooner or later,” said Flavio Briatore. ‘Obviously, no regular driver likes to feel that pressure. Pierre and Jack know they have our full support. If they perform well, they have nothing to worry about,’ he said on March 21.
Amid all the rumors, Doohan is not happy to be asked about Colapinto and the threat he poses. Before the season started, he lashed out at some journalists for their questions about the reserve driver. “Is that a question?” he reacted when asked if he feels “disadvantaged” by having a young reserve driver with a long contract.
So far, unlike his teammate Gasly, Jack Doohan has not scored any points, and his best performance was at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished 14th. He also cost Alpine an estimated $1.7 million for his accident in the second free practice session in Japan. In fact, of his six qualifying sessions (including his debut in Abu Dhabi in 2024), he has only made it through to Q2 twice. He also lacks pace in races and, after the race in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, he admitted that he had “one of the most difficult days.” And alongside him, Franco Colapinto is waiting for his moment.