Franco Colapinto on the Brink: Alpine’s Crisis Deepens as Perez and Bottas Circle the Second Seat

Franco Colapinto’s journey with Alpine appears to be rapidly approaching its breaking point after another deeply frustrating qualifying session at Silverstone. What was once heralded as a fresh chapter for the young Argentinian driver now reads more like a farewell letter. With zero points scored alongside Pierre Gasly and a string of underwhelming performances, Alpine’s patience is clearly wearing thin. And with seasoned veterans like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas looming in the shadows, Colapinto’s days in Formula 1 may be numbered.

At Silverstone, Alpine reportedly gave Colapinto “one more chance.” Unfortunately, the result was a crash and another Q1 exit—hardly the performance Flavio Briatore, the newly appointed Alpine team principal, was hoping for. This latest mistake could be the final nail in the coffin for the 22-year-old, as Alpine urgently seeks a stable, reliable driver to partner Gasly in 2025 and beyond.

Alpine’s Second Seat: A Revolving Door of Problems

The second Alpine seat has been cursed in recent years. While Pierre Gasly has shown glimpses of promise—making it into Q3 at Silverstone and regularly outperforming his teammates—the other side of the garage has been a void of consistency. Flavio Briatore has made it clear: Alpine cannot afford to waste more time or resources. The Enstone-based squad currently sits dead last in the Constructors’ standings, and with their switch to Mercedes power units in 2026, Alpine is desperate to build momentum before the regulatory reset.

Colapinto’s issues are not only tied to pace but also to costly crashes. Repair bills are stacking up, and the technical staff is growing increasingly frustrated. Despite Colapinto’s potential, the numbers—and the optics—aren’t in his favor. In a brutal sport where results speak louder than potential, his margin for error is now effectively zero.

Sergio Perez: Redemption in Blue?

Enter Sergio Perez—a seasoned driver with a wealth of experience, a proven record of podiums, and a deep understanding of car development. While his Red Bull stint ended in disappointment, Perez’s reputation remains intact across the paddock. According to Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, Perez is very much in the mix for a 2026 return, with Alpine and Cadillac being the two most likely destinations.

For Alpine, the appeal of Perez is clear. He brings speed, consistency, and perhaps most importantly, sponsorship money. The financial boost from backing companies like Telcel and Claro could help stabilize Alpine’s fragile development program. Moreover, Perez has expressed his willingness to return—under the condition that the project motivates him and values his career. His comments suggest that a team like Alpine, if properly aligned, could indeed be that project.

“If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believes in me… it would be very attractive to consider it,” Perez recently told reporters. “That’s why I’ve given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table.”

It’s a waiting game, but Alpine may not have the luxury of time. The sooner they act, the more leverage they’ll have to secure a top-tier replacement—and avoid a bidding war with Cadillac.

Bottas: The Dark Horse

While Perez has dominated most headlines, Valtteri Bottas remains an equally compelling candidate. Though currently linked with Cadillac, Bottas has confirmed that discussions have taken place between himself, Briatore, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff regarding a potential Alpine switch. The veteran Finn, a ten-time race winner and former Mercedes No. 2, knows how to manage team expectations and deliver points consistently—two qualities Alpine desperately needs.

Bottas also has deep ties to Mercedes, Alpine’s future engine supplier. His familiarity with the power unit could help smooth the transition for the French team. And while Bottas recently hinted that Cadillac might be his preferred long-term project, he didn’t rule out a shorter stint with Alpine in 2025 to get back into rhythm.

“There were talks,” Bottas confirmed. “It’s just talk and discussions. But I’ve learned that nothing is certain until the names are on paper. We’re exploring all the options.”

With 2026 looming large and many teams recalibrating for the new era, Bottas’s calm demeanor and technical understanding might make him the ideal transitional figure Alpine needs.

The Cost of Inaction

The financial and strategic stakes for Alpine couldn’t be higher. Moving from 10th to even 8th in the Constructors’ Championship could yield millions in additional prize money—money that can be reinvested into car development, driver programs, and team infrastructure. Retaining a mistake-prone driver like Colapinto jeopardizes that goal.

Moreover, the team’s brand is suffering. Once seen as a future contender under the Renault banner, Alpine has become a cautionary tale of squandered potential. Flavio Briatore has vowed to reverse that perception—and it starts with bold decisions. Whether it’s Perez’s marketability and raw racecraft or Bottas’s strategic value and engineering feedback, either would be a substantial upgrade.

What’s Next for Colapinto?

Despite the current struggles, Franco Colapinto still has time on his side. At 22, his F1 journey doesn’t have to end here. A return to F2 or a reserve role elsewhere could help him rebuild his confidence and refine his driving style. However, unless he delivers a miracle performance before the summer break, it’s unlikely that he’ll retain his Alpine seat into 2025.

His own assessment after Silverstone was honest but sobering:

“Yeah, I just lost the rear in the last corner… It was not a good qual from my side. I think we did some good steps, but definitely not what we wanted.”

The reality is that Formula 1 is not just a proving ground—it’s a results-driven business. And in that world, honesty is appreciated, but performance is demanded.

Conclusion: Perez or Bottas? Alpine’s Future Hangs in the Balance

Alpine is at a crossroads. With new leadership, new engines on the horizon, and a painful year to erase, the choice of who partners Pierre Gasly in 2025 could define the team’s direction for years. Sergio Perez offers experience and marketability. Bottas brings technical consistency and team-first stability. Both are vast upgrades over Colapinto—at least in the short term.

Whether it’s the fire of the Mexican veteran or the calm of the Finnish strategist, Alpine must decide soon. Because in Formula 1, standing still is just another way of falling behind.

And Colapinto? He may still fly—but just not in Alpine colors.

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