F1 chief speaks out on SURPRISE driver signing claim

flavio briatore, max verstappen, jos verstappen, christian horner, red bull — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

F1 chief speaks out on SURPRISE driver signing claim

Franco Colapinto has been linked with a switch to Alpine

By Sam Cook.

Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:00

A Formula 1 supremo has spoken out on the chances of a surprise driver swap before the 2026 season.

The coming season will see a flurry of driver moves after a quiet 2023-24 off-season, with Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari transfer sparking off a host of other switches.

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Williams snapped up outgoing Ferrari star Carlos Sainz, Sauber signed the vastly experienced Nico Hulkenberg, and Haas swooped in to sign Esteban Ocon after it was revealed he would be replaced by Jack Doohan at Alpine.

21-year-old Doohan will partner Pierre Gasly for 2025, as the Alpine team look to build on an impressive sixth-place finish in the constructors' championship.

Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine in 2025

Franco Colapinto shone with Williams in 2024

Alpine looking towards the future

Colapinto shone while replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams in 2024, although that shine did wear off somewhat as the end of the season played out, thanks to a number of mistakes leading to high-profile crashes.

Now, Alpine team executive Flavio Briatore has suggested that Colapinto may enter the team's thinking ahead of 2026, when the Enstone outfit start using Mercedes power units.

"I'm interested in any driver who is fast," Briatore told Auto Motor und Sport.

"Colapinto surprised everyone. But we have contracts with Gasly, Doohan and Aron for next season. If there was an opportunity to get Colapinto for 2026, you have to think about it.

"Nevertheless, you always have to be careful when assessing drivers. In this sport, you quickly get hyped up after a good race. Then the price rises and suddenly we're talking about 20 or 30 million dollars.

"The choice today is much greater than it used to be. Today, there are six to seven promising drivers in Formula 2 and Formula 3. We want to concentrate on the good ones in our academy and no longer run around with a watering can. It will probably come down to three drivers. Aron, Mini and Martins."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Formula 1 Carlos Sainz Williams