Franco Colapinto has been linked with a role at the Alpine Formula 1 team for 2025, the Argentine rumoured to be seen as a backup plan in case Jack Doohan doesn't deliver early on.
Colapinto made a good impression last year when he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams from the Italian Grand Prix.
The nine races the 21-year-old competed in with Williams at the end of last season made him one of the most interesting young talents.
His strong debut, confirmed by the five points scored in the first four grands prix, was then somewhat overshadowed by his performances in the last races, in which Colapinto contributed to the catastrophic accident tally that plagued Williams' finances.
The interest surrounding Colapinto has remained very high, but the driver market has not offered a real opportunity for him to be on the grid next season after Red Bull's decision to focus on its junior driver Isack Hadjar.
While Colapinto will not be on the grid for the start of the season, the attention surrounding him and the potential financial support could shake up the situation.
Although the Argentine is contractually tied to Williams as a reserve driver, there are rumours from South America suggesting that his future could shift towards Alpine.
Colapinto's management met with Alpine's Flavio Briatore and Oliver Oakes at the end of 2024, a get-together primarily aimed at understanding the Argentine's contractual position with Williams.
Speculation has grown due to rumours circulating in the paddock regarding Alpine's contract with Doohan, which is said to be for only four or five grands prix at the moment.
Argentine media rumours also consider the possibility that Colapinto could initially be inserted into Alpine as a reserve driver, the same role he has at Williams.
Williams team principal James Vowles has repeatedly emphasised that he does not intend to give up on its driver and, without adequate financial compensation, the Grove squad could eventually be willing to loan out its driver while maintaining contractual ties.
The only certain aspect is that Colapinto's presence on the market will increase the pressure on Doohan, whose future in F1 could be decided in the first races of the season.
