The Formula 1 gossip machine is at it again, spitting out whispers that Alpine’s latest replacement, Franco Colapinto, is already skating on thin ice with the French outfit.
Barely a few races into his tenure with the Enstone squad, reports – particularly from Austrian outlet oe24 – suggest the team is eyeing replacements, with names like Mick Schumacher and even Sergio Perez floating around.
However, it’s worth approaching the rumors with a hefty dose of skepticism. After all, Alpine boss Flavio Briatore, while known for his cutthroat decisions, has publicly backed Colapinto, dismissing – for now – the idea that the rookie’s seat is genuinely at risk.
Pressure Mounting – Or Is It?
Colapinto’s start with Alpine hasn’t exactly set the track ablaze. A qualifying crash at Imola and a lackluster Monaco weekend, where he posted the slowest qualifying time, haven’t helped his case.
Compared to teammate Pierre Gasly, who outpaced him by six-tenths in Monaco’s Q1, the Argentine drivers’ performances have reportedly disappointed Alpine.
Yet, it’s worth questioning the fairness of these expectations. Gasly, a seasoned driver, isn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard either, and Alpine’s car isn’t known for being a points-scoring machine this season.
Holding a rookie to such a high standard in a struggling team feels like a stretch – especially when Briatore himself has voiced support for Colapinto’s potential.
The rumor mill points to Mick Schumacher as a prime candidate to replace Colapinto if the Argentine’s form doesn’t improve over his supposed five-race trial.
Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2025 Monaco GPThe former Haas driver, with his World Endurance Championship ties to Alpine and a modest F1 record of 12 points from 43 starts, is being hyped by some, like former driver Timo Glock, as a more experienced option.
But let’s be real: Schumacher’s F1 stint at Haas wasn’t exactly a highlight reel, with retirements, crashes and inconsistent results. Is he really the silver bullet Alpine needs? Or is this just media stirring the pot, leaning on his famous surname and German backing?
Other Names in the Frame—But How Credible?
The speculation doesn’t stop at Schumacher. Sergio Perez, currently on the sidelines after being dismissed by Red Bull at the end of last season, has been tossed into the mix as a potential Alpine target.
Then there’s Paul Aron, an Estonian Formula 2 talent who’s waiting in the wings as an Alpine junior.
Still, all of these names being floated — Schumacher, Perez, Aron — could just as easily be long-term considerations rather than part of a reactionary plan hinging on a rookie’s opening races.
After all, F1 is a sport that thrives on speculation, particularly when results aren’t coming.
Verdict: Too Early for Panic
Alpine are in a difficult spot this season, languishing near the bottom of the constructors' standings and desperate for a turnaround. But casting off a rookie like Colapinto after a handful of races, exactly like it did with Jack Doohan, would be a bold but potentially shortsighted move.
While internal expectations are undoubtedly high, Briatore’s recent comments don’t line up with the idea of an imminent swap.
Until Colapinto’s struggles extend into the summer with no sign of improvement — or unless Briatore publicly shifts tone — talk of replacements should be taken with a sizable grain of salt.
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