As Formula 1 enters its mid-season stretch, questions are mounting about Franco Colapinto’s future at Alpine, with Valtteri Bottas now confirmed to be in talks for a possible return to the grid.
The 2025 F1 season has so far been marked by a revolving door at Alpine, as the team searches for a driver pairing that can lift it from the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship. For Colapinto, a promotion that was once seen as a breakthrough now looks precarious, while Bottas’ steady presence in the background has suddenly become a central storyline.
Few expected Valtteri Bottas to be in the headlines this summer after his tough exit from Sauber, a season in which the team finished last and the Finn’s reputation took a hit. But Bottas wasted little time finding his footing, rejoining Mercedes as a reserve driver and mentor to rising star Kimi Antonelli.
Despite his supporting role, Bottas has been clear in his belief that he still belongs on the Formula 1 grid. And now, with Alpine facing a driver dilemma, the opportunity might be closer than anyone imagined.
Bottas’ future has been the subject of swirling rumours for weeks, fuelled by his own social media hints. A video of Bottas admiring a Cadillac SUV, accompanied by a sly comment about the available seats, set off a wave of speculation about a possible move to F1’s incoming Cadillac team.
Yet reports now suggest Alpine are making a push to sign the experienced Finn as early as this season. When asked directly at Silverstone about meetings with Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore, Bottas didn’t deny the discussions. “Yeah, you could say that,” he told Viaplay, though he declined to elaborate further.
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Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has confirmed that conversations are ongoing. “I saw [Briatore] today and we talked about Valtteri. It seems that the interest in Valtteri is increasing even more,” Wolff revealed.
“He deserves that seat. If someone grabs him as a race driver, we’ll let him go. Of course, with a tear in the corner of our eye. Ultimately, I give him advice as a friend. Valtteri ultimately makes the choice with his management. I try to stay in the background.”
Colapinto, meanwhile, finds himself under growing scrutiny after a string of disappointing results. Having replaced Jack Doohan at Alpine on a short-term deal, the Argentine driver was expected to inject new life into the team.
Instead, technical issues and crashes have defined his stint. The British Grand Prix was a microcosm of his struggles, after a crash in qualifying left him at the back of the grid, an engine change forced a pit lane start, only for a mechanical failure to prevent him from taking the lights at all.
The fallout was immediate. Cameras caught Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s advisor, with his head in his hands as Colapinto’s race unraveled.
Ted Kravitz, reporting from the paddock for Sky Sports F1, summed up the uncertainty: “They’re still last in the constructors’ and more questions about whether Franco Colapinto is going to be driving this car in Spa in a few weeks’ time. It could be Jack Doohan, it could be Valtteri Bottas, it might be Felipe Drugovich, might be anybody.”
Other driver options for Alpine
As Alpine’s F1 struggles continue, several names are being floated as potential replacements if the team decides to part ways with Colapinto. Valtteri Bottas remains the frontrunner, offering proven race experience and a calm hand amid the chaos.
Felipe Drugovich, currently Aston Martin’s reserve, is also in the conversation despite never making his F1 grand prix debut. Meanwhile, Paul Aron—, who impressed during Friday practice sessions with Sauber and is a member of Alpine’s junior academy, has emerged as a wildcard candidate.
Even Jack Doohan, the man Colapinto replaced, could find himself back in the cockpit if the team needs a stopgap solution. The challenge for Alpine is not only about finding speed but also stability, especially as they transition to Mercedes engines for 2026. With a technical overhaul on the horizon and fresh investment in play, securing the right driver pairing has become a priority.
The situation underscores just how brutal Formula 1 can be for drivers on the bubble. Colapinto’s star rose quickly after a strong substitute stint at Williams last season, but his time at Alpine has been defined by misfortune and mechanical woes. Each non-score increases the pressure, while established names like Bottas circle with experience and reliability.
Whether Colapinto gets another chance to prove himself may depend as much on the next few races as on the plans of team bosses and advisors behind closed doors. For now, the seat is his—but the paddock is watching, and Alpine’s patience may be wearing thin.
