Franco Colapinto’s Formula 1 dream was supposed to be just beginning—but after a single race weekend at Imola, whispers are growing louder that Alpine might already be second-guessing their massive investment in the young Argentinian.
A Debut to Forget
High hopes, brutal reality. Colapinto’s first F1 outing was anything but smooth—a crash in qualifying, a lackluster race pace, and now, barely a week later, rumors that his seat could be in jeopardy.
Just a few months ago, Alpine fought hard to secure him, shelling out a staggering €20 million to buy out his Williams contract. Backed by F1 heavyweight Flavio Briatore, Colapinto was seen as a long-term project. But in the cutthroat world of Formula 1, patience wears thin fast—especially when millions are on the line.
The Shadow Looming Over Him: Paul Aron
While Colapinto struggles, Alpine’s reserve driver, Paul Aron, is quietly making his case. The Estonian was a standout in Formula 2 last year, finishing P3 in the championship—yet somehow missed out on an F1 seat for 2025.
Now? He’s lurking in the background, racking up test miles and turning heads. A P9 finish in post-season testing might not sound explosive, but in the high-stakes game of F1 politics, it’s enough to spark conversations.
Why Alpine Can’t Afford to Wait
Here’s the problem: Alpine is dead last in the Constructors’ Championship with just 7 points. If they can claw their way past Haas for P6, the prize money difference is a jaw-dropping $30 million—cash that could make or break their 2026 car development.
Can they really afford to let a rookie find his footing if every mistake costs them millions? Or will they pull the trigger and give Aron a shot before it’s too late?
Colapinto’s Last Chance?
Briatore has publicly denied that Colapinto is on a “five-race trial”, but insiders suggest nothing is guaranteed. If results don’t improve fast, Alpine’s €20 million gamble could turn into one of the shortest-lived F1 experiments in recent memory.
The clock is ticking. The pressure is on. And in Formula 1, money talks louder than potential.
