The 2025 game of F1 Musical Chairs may yet have a surprise in store as Franco Colapinto is linked with Alpine.

It's fair to say - his Interlagos nightmare aside - that the young Argentine has taken the sport by storm. Scoring points in only his second outing, the youngster has given teammate Alex Albon a run for his money while reviving interest in the sport in south America, bringing a couple of sponsors to Williams with the potential of many more.

However, with Williams line-up for 2025 settled, team boss James Vowles has been trying to find Colapinto a berth elsewhere, and while outwardly there only appears to be a vacancy at RB, behind the scenes there is some frantic rethinking going on.

The Argentine has already been linked with Red Bull as a replacement for Sergio Perez, while Flavio Briatore is now understood to be keen to have the youngster at Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly.

This, of course, would mean that Jack Doohan's career in F1 was over before it had even begun.

Christian Horner has played down the fact that he was seen talking to Vowles in the Williams motorhome in Brazil, while the Italian media insists that Briatore is pursuing Colapinto, not only in terms of his talent but the commercial opportunities he could bring Alpine's way.

On the other hand, though talented, Doohan is bringing little to the table in terms of backing.

Should Colapinto get the gig it would represent a massive blow to Alpine's young driver programme which has already nurtured talent such as Oscar Piastri only to allow it to slip though its fingers.

On the other hand, while some have cited the sponsorship that Perez has brought to Red Bull, other than talent Colapinto might well be in a position to match it, with the likes of Carlos Slim Domit - a keen supporter of the Mexican - thought to be eager to see the Argentine in race-winning machinery.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ffracer, 16/11/2024 8:20

"I totally agree with Kenji here, but when Flavio Briatore is involved, contracts become tinder. Further, I could see race winner Sergio Perez show up, complete with bags of sponsors... not to mention his first F1 win was with Alpine title sponsor BWT, (in 2026) Mercedes and Flavio gets the key to Mexico City. "

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2. Posted by kenji, 15/11/2024 1:56

"@Chester...Your generosity knows absolutely no bounds....Likewise I have travelled to most parts of the globe many many times and what I learnt was that stereotyping people can be misleading in many cases. However it's a truism that we are all products of our own environment, with some minor aberrations noted in the glossary. I have watched Indie cars and they are great to watch but a different breed although united by ultimate goals. I'm certain that Indy drivers are every bit as good as F1 drivers with the caveat being experience of the finer details inherent in F1 and that can be a learned.
Likewise, my travels taught me that there is good and not so good amongst people and certain states as apparent now on a daily basis. Hopefully it is us, the 'goodies' who will prevail . Roll on Vegas.

"

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3. Posted by NS Biker, 14/11/2024 22:24

"Just imagine what the driver market would possibly look like today, if J. Vowles had brought Colapinto into the team back aroud Miami time frame.?
Likely he is kicking himself for not sidelining L. Seargeant sooner."

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4. Posted by Chester, 14/11/2024 11:23

"For you Kenji, anything!

IndyCar racing has a number of drivers who may be good F1 drivers, but we will never know because of SuperLicense regulations. That is all I am saying. IndyCar racing is real open wheel racing. It is competitive and uses two tire compounds which does give experience in managing tires.

No offense to anyone or any nation. I've traveled to most areas of the world except Central Asia and Antarctica, and categorically enjoy everywhere and every nationality I've encountered."

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5. Posted by kenji, 14/11/2024 1:01

"@ Chester...you closing statement piques my interest. Could you please elaborate further pour moi? You might care to take into account why the US is so deficient in drivers and how that Finland bucks the trend like Aust and Arg, must be superior native intellect or something in the water......"

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6. Posted by Chester, 13/11/2024 13:28

"Demonstrated performance is the proof in the pudding. I think it was Jolyon Palmer who stated "On paper Logan Sargeant had a better CV that Colapinto, but their realized performance was much different".

Colapinto all the way. It astounds me that far-away countries with populations of 25 million and 3 million folks can field a disproportionate number of F1 race drivers. That to me, is an inefficient market- and inefficient markets smack of competition smothering regulation."

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7. Posted by raimon_d, 12/11/2024 22:16

"I agree with Kenji 11/11/2024 1:16. At least give the guy (Doohan) the opportunity he has fought so much for. COL will have a drive sooner than later anyway. He got that chance, and he grabbed it!"

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8. Posted by raimon_d, 12/11/2024 22:13

""... reviving interest in the sport in South America, bringing a couple of sponsors to Williams with the potential of many more." POTENTIAL ... I'm sure Briatore or whoever chases this "potential" will be secure it si not only "potential" before going further with COL. "

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9. Posted by kenji, 11/11/2024 1:16

"If Jack Doohan loses his drive I would be massively disappointed. He's an exciting driver and deserves to have his contract upheld. "

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