Flavio Briatore has just added an ‘incredible’ driver to Alpine’s list of potential Franco Colapinto replacements

Follow us on Google Discover

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez may have rejected Alpine to sign for Cadillac, but Flavio Briatore still has plenty of options who could yet replace Franco Colapinto.

The Enstone outfit explored potential moves to sign Mercedes reserve driver Bottas and free agent Perez in 2025, with Colapinto yet to prove himself as an upgrade on Jack Doohan. But Cadillac have confirmed the signings of Bottas and Perez as their debut F1 line-up for 2026.

Colapinto replaced Doohan before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in May, after the Australian failed to score a point in the first six rounds of the 2025 F1 season. But Alpine are still waiting for Colapinto’s first point before his ninth start for them in the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Argentine’s plight started from his debut for Alpine, as Colapinto crashed in qualifying at Imola. He even qualified P19 for the Spanish Grand Prix after burning out his clutch in the pit lane. Colapinto did not start the British Grand Prix after ruining his clutch in the pits, as well.

Alpine add Aston Martin junior Jak Crawford to their list of Franco Colapinto replacements

So, Alpine held talks with Perez earlier this year, and Bottas spoke with Alpine before signing for Cadillac, too, as executive adviser Briatore studied the market in case he decides to drop Colapinto. Briatore still has his eyes on the driver market, too, according to Auto Sport Web.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

Briatore is understood to be considering a clutch of options who could yet replace Colapinto at Alpine, which now includes Aston Martin junior driver Jak Crawford. Also, Alpine retain an interest in Mick Schumacher, but may also give their own reserve driver Paul Aron his debut.

Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich is also still on Alpine’s radar, after the Brazilian emerged as a potential replacement for Colapinto around the British Grand Prix in July. The Renault-owned F1 crew are yet to commit to any driver to partner with Pierre Gasly in 2026.

It is widely expected that Alpine will drop Colapinto after the 2025 F1 season, barring a vast improvement in his performances during the final 10 rounds of the campaign. The 22-year-old has not finished a Grand Prix higher than P13 in Monaco and Canada for Alpine to date.

Alpine would sign a driver who Cadillac rejected if Jak Crawford replaces Franco Colapinto

Briatore deciding to explore a deal with Aston Martin for their academy driver, Crawford, to replace Colapinto would see Alpine sign a driver who Cadillac rejected to land Bottas and Perez. Crawford was the most likely American to join Cadillac if they prioritised an American.

Cadillac rejected signing Crawford as the General Motors entry feared the 20-year-old would be another Logan Sargeant by placing an inexperienced driver in a difficult car at the start of their career. Fort Lauderdale, Florida native Sargeant earned one point in his 36 Grands Prix.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore? Everything to know

Colapinto replaced Sargeant at Williams for the final nine rounds of the 2024 season for his F1 debut, as team principal James Vowles ultimately had enough of their academy product failing to match Alex Albon. Williams saw Colapinto score five points as their stand-in driver.

Crawford believes he is ready to race in F1, although the Charlotte, North Carolina native is not currently eligible for an FIA Superlicence. The 20-year-old must win the 2025 Formula 2 title to be eligible for a superlicence, but he currently trails Leonardo Fornaroli by 17 points.

Fornaroli, who lifted the Formula 3 title last season, is leading the F2 standings in his rookie year with four rounds to go. Crawford, who DAMS F2 team owner Charles Pic has lauded for his “incredible” exploits, has had two Feature Race wins and a Sprint win in his third season.