The BWT Alpine Formula One Team has revealed a surprising change to its 2025 driver lineup, as Franco Colapinto will join Pierre Gasly in a five-race rotation starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. This move aims to carefully evaluate both drivers ahead of the British Grand Prix in July, shaping Alpine’s plans for the crucial 2026 season. Colapinto, the team’s Test & Reserve Driver, will compete under car number 43 in the next five rounds, including races in Monaco, Spain, Canada, and Austria.
This rotation reflects Alpine’s strategic approach to navigating the fiercely competitive 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship. With the team fielding a drastically improved car compared to last year, the decision to rotate drivers amid a tightly matched grid displays Alpine’s commitment to making informed choices about its future. By running both Pierre Gasly and Colapinto in race conditions, Alpine hopes to maximize insight into each driver’s strengths and racecraft before finalizing their main lineup.
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor to Alpine, explained the rationale behind this decision:
“Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races. With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, which the team has drastically improved in the past 12 months, we are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up. We also know the 2026 season will be an important one for the team and having a complete and fair assessment of the drivers this season is the right thing to do in order to maximise our ambitions next year.”
While Colapinto steps into the spotlight, Jack Doohan will continue as Alpine’s first-choice Reserve Driver. Briatore emphasized Doohan’s professionalism and ongoing importance within the team, highlighting that the five-race rotation offers Alpine the chance to thoroughly assess all their current and potential driver options. Balancing the roles of these talented drivers allows Alpine to maintain depth and flexibility as the season unfolds.
Looking ahead, the upcoming races will serve as a critical testing ground for both Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, allowing the team to analyze their performance under the intense pressure of Formula One competition. Alpine’s optimistic and forward-thinking approach aims to secure a strong driver lineup heading into 2026, a year the team considers pivotal for reaching its ambitions. This rotation not only reflects Alpine’s confidence in Gasly’s experience but also showcases their excitement about nurturing new talent like Colapinto as they prepare for future challenges.
