Alpine could sign £27m ‘pay driver’ to help them afford Mercedes engine deal

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Alpine are one of the teams who have yet to confirm their 2025 Formula 1 driver line-up. They tied Pierre Gasly down to a multi-year extension, but still need to choose their replacement for Esteban Ocon.

Like Sauber/Audi, their top target was Carlos Sainz. There was a point where Alpine looked set to win the race for Sainz, but he’s now signed for rivals Williams instead.

They tempted the Spaniard with the prospect of a Mercedes engine deal. Flavio Briatore has convinced Renault CEO Luca de Meo to scrap the Viry F1 engine operation, and with it, Alpine’s works team status.

However, the ongoing instability at Enstone no doubt hurt their case. Bruno Famin lasted less than a year in the permanent team principal role, making way for Oliver Oakes.

With Sainz off the market, Jack Doohan has emerged as the favourite to partner Gasly. The Australian has impressed the team in his reserve driver role this season.

However, reports of a deal being done are premature. Indeed, Doohan’s camp may be feeding the media to paint a favourable picture.

Alpine could bring back Zhou Guanyu after Mercedes agreement

The race for the Alpine seat is still on, then, and that could be good news for Zhou Guanyu. Zhou is facing the prospect of losing his Sauber drive after the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg.

If the Audi hierarchy decide to retain one of their current drivers, it’s likely to be Valtteri Bottas. But his connections to Alpine as a former Renault junior could offer him a lifeline, according to formule1.nl.

Alpine have reached an agreement in principle with Mercedes, and Zhou could help them afford that deal. They have the funds regardless, but ‘every little bit helps’.

They couldn’t find a place for the Chinese driver when he first emerged, which is why he moved elsewhere. But now it may suit both parties to reunite.

‘Pay driver’ Zhou brings huge budget

While journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm believes Zhou is a ‘quality’ option, he also sees him as a ‘pay driver in a conventional sense’. As the first F1 driver in his nation’s history, he carries vast commercial backing.

One report claimed Zhou can offer teams £27m for a 2025 seat. That’s unlikely to hold sway at Audi given the size of the brand, but Renault are considering it.

The 25-year-old has competed in 58 Grands Prix since he made his debut at the start of 2022. He’s scored 12 points in that time, although neither he nor Bottas have managed to get on the board this season.

His veteran teammate has beaten him in eight of the 13 races both drivers have finished. However, it’s Zhou who ranks higher in the championship by virtue of a P11 at the season-opener in Bahrain.