Franco Colapinto faces ‘tense situation’ at Alpine as Flavio Briatore refuses to speak about one thing

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Franco Colapinto’s return to Formula 1 has been a major disappointment as he has failed to score points in six races with Alpine in 2025.

The Argentine has now matched the feat of Jack Doohan, having replaced him after the Miami GP. Flavio Briatore took the Aussie out of the A525 in favour of Colapinto due to heavy crashes and no points scored in the opening six Grand Prix.

But his replacement has fared no better. Alpine insiders say Colapinto is too far behind Pierre Gasly as regular Q1 exits and rookie errors have hampered his return to the grid.

The British GP was particularly damaging as he spun out in Q1 and hit the wall at the final corner. Having damaged the rear wing, Briatore had his head in his hands on the pit wall as he watched Colapinto suffer another early qualifying exit.

Colapinto could only manage two words in an awkward interview afterwards, as he was full of worry about his future. Rumours had been swirling around the paddock before the race that Valtteri Bottas could replace Colapinto at Alpine.

Briatore had ‘assured’ Colapinto he had his trust and that he would be given the time to improve his form. But after not making it out of the pit lane on Sunday due to a mechanical failure, and with Alpine last in the constructors’ championship, the boss may have changed his mind.

Flavio Briatore refuses media interview due to Franco Colapinto’s ‘tense situation’ at Alpine

Colapinto’s future ‘doesn’t sound good’ as paddock rumours suggest that he could be replaced before the Belgian GP. Briatore has constantly come to the Argentine’s defence, but the Alpine boss has not spoken out on this occasion.

Journalist Antonio Lobato told SoyMotor that he had requested an interview with the Italian. However, he did not grant it due to the ‘tense situation’ surrounding Colapinto and whether he will remain on the grid.

“What’s happening is that, of course, things at Alpine are very compromised,” he said.

“I have to tell you that, for example, we had requested an interview with Flavio Briatore, which I would have to be doing at this moment and they didn’t grant it to us because of the tense situation there is right now surrounding Franco Colapinto and Franco Colapinto’s continuity.

“And there are rumours of the possibility that if things don’t improve, sportingly speaking, then Paul Aron could have an opportunity in the future.”

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

Who could replace Franco Colapinto at Alpine in the second half of the season?

While Briatore has said in the past that the 21-year-old will not be replaced, it has not stopped Alpine from being linked with several drivers in recent weeks.

Bottas has been mentioned the most as he looks to find his way back onto the grid. However, Bottas is ‘more interested’ in Cadillac than Alpine as he wants to secure a long-term contract.

It is a similar situation for Sergio Perez, with Briatore reportedly holding an interest in the 35-year-old. But like Bottas, Perez is not an option for Alpine in 2025, as he too favours a move to Cadillac.

Alpine do have Doohan and Aron who they could call upon to replace Colapinto if his results do not improve. Ted Kravitz even mentioned Felipe Drugovich as a candidate, as Aston Martin’s reserve driver searches for one last opportunity to secure a spot on the F1 grid.