Lewis Hamilton won’t be the only one happy about some more developments in the Formula 1 driver market.
The 2025 grid was finally completed on December 20 when Racing Bulls named Isack Hadjar as their second driver, knocking Sergio Perez out of the sport as Liam Lawson jumped up to the main Red Bull team.
With 20 out of 20 spots confirmed, it looked like the so-called ‘silly season’ was over for a while, but that isn’t to be the case.
A move off the grid came on January 10, and it could upset the order as early as May.
Franco Colapinto has signed as Alpine’s reserve driver for the new campaign, and that might spell bad news for rookie Jack Doohan.
With Argentine Colapinto impressing in his nine races for Williams last season his choice of role was clearly inspired with Doohan not possessing the best of junior records.
And now, according to Sport1 and others, it’s been revealed that the Australian only has a contract for the first six races of the 2025 campaign.
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That means that should he fail to impress, Colapinto could easily jump back into F1 during the year, something which ruthless advisor Flavio Briatore has as good as confirmed.
“We will start the year with Pierre (Gasly) and Jack, I can guarantee you that,” Briatore told Le Parisien. “Then we will see during the season.
When asked if Doohan will stay the whole campaign, he added: “The only thing that is certain is death.
“I have to put the team in a position to achieve results. The drivers are responsible for finishing the work of around 1000 people behind them. They all work for just two people.
“If a driver doesn’t deliver results, doesn’t progress, he will be replaced. You can’t be emotional in Formula 1.”
Colapinto’s manager has since shed light on her negotiations with Alpine and a ‘persistent’ Briatore.
Speaking to Argentinian publication Infobae, Maria Catarineu, Commercial Director at Bullet Sports Management, revealed the Italian’s ‘very intense’ interest in her client.
“It took a long time because negotiations are sometimes complex, as in this case. But Flavio was always very persistent and in the last few weeks he was very intense,” she said.
“The agreement came about because both parties got what they wanted – Flavio was able to sign Franco and [Williams boss] James [Vowles] was able to give him the chance to race, because at Williams their regular drivers are on long-term contracts.”
