Franco Colapinto will make a high-profile return to the Formula 1 grid next weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, stepping into the Alpine race seat vacated by Jack Doohan.
The Argentine driver, signed on loan from Williams over the winter, now has a five-race opportunity to prove himself at the pinnacle of motorsport—and he’s doing so at a venue with deep personal significance.
Colapinto’s promotion, announced shortly after the Miami Grand Prix, follows a turbulent start to the 2025 season for Alpine, with Doohan failing to score points in six outings and coming under scrutiny for a series of costly crashes.
Though framed as a recent decision, a report from Auto Motor und Sport suggests that Colapinto’s return may have long been in the works.
A national advertisement campaign in Argentina launched within hours of Alpine’s announcement, hinting that preparations were well underway for weeks.
According to AMuS, Colapinto’s significant sponsorship backing – estimated at several million dollars – played a role in the timing of his promotion, along with expectations of a merchandise sales boom in Argentina.
A Return Written in Italy
For the 21-year-old young gun, the moment marks a homecoming of sorts as he has a rich history of success in Italy, from junior formulae to his F1 debut.
“Italy feels like a very special place for me for a number of reasons,” Colapinto said ahead this week’s round of racing at Imola.
“It is where I made my Formula One debut in Monza last year. And now, I go to Imola for my first race with Alpine.”
His competitive record at Imola includes milestone victories in Formula 3 (2022) and Formula 2 (2024), while his first Formula Renault triumph came in Monza in 2020.
“I have fond memories of winning in Italy for the first time in Formula Renault back in 2020 in Monza and then my first victories in both Formula 3 and Formula 2 came in Imola in 2022 and 2024,” he recalled.
However, Colapinto is under no illusions about the task ahead but is approaching it with a mix of confidence and gratitude.
“I am very excited to be going into race week for the first time since December,” he said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and now I have to get up to speed and showcase what I am capable of doing in the car.”
Prepared and Poised for Alpine Challenge
Colapinto’s promotion also coincides with a regime change at Alpine, with Flavio Briatore stepping in as team principal following Oliver Oakes’ departure.
The swift appointment of Colapinto may reflect Briatore’s preference for decisive, marketable talent, but Alpine has made clear that this is a trial period.
The Argentine’s initial deal runs through the Austrian Grand Prix next month, giving him five races to impress. Should he fall short, second reserve driver Paul Aron is waiting in the wings.
Despite the pressure, Colapinto believes he’s ready for the challenge.
“It has been a great first few months with everyone at Enstone with some TPC running in the 2023 car and time in the simulator, so I am definitely feeling ready and prepared,” he said.
And while he has yet to turn a lap around Imola in Formula 1 machinery, the circuit’s flowing layout and rich history have him eager for the weekend.
Read also: Colapinto replaces Doohan at Alpine for next five races“Imola is a track I really enjoy. It is just a legendary place with some great corners which I am especially looking forward to in a Formula One car for the first time,” the Alpine charger added.
“I will aim to work hard with the team and try to get on the pace quickly in order to contribute to the team’s ambitions for the weekend.”
Colapinto’s quiet confidence, paired with his proven adaptability, may be just what Alpine needs after a rocky start to 2025. Whether this five-race stint becomes something more, however, depends on what happens starting in Imola.
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Alpine’s Colapinto ‘excited’ by second Italian F1 debut F1i.com.
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