After the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine had a string of announcements regarding their leadership and driver lineup. One was Oliver Oakes resigning from his position as team principal for personal reasons, the other was Franco Colapinto replacing Jack Doohan from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
From the time Alpine signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver for the 2025 season, there has always been a lingering doubt about whether he is being prepared to replace Doohan in case the Aussie is unable to perform. Now that is exactly what has happened. However, Alpine has decided to use an unconventional method for their lineup. They’ve decided to give Colapinto a 5-race contract during which he will have to prove himself to the team. So, what does the Argentinian driver need to do to get a full-time seat at Alpine?
Franco Colapinto’s goal for the next 5 races
In the next 5 races, Alpine will be expecting Franco to score points. If he is not able to do so, they might go back to Doohan or choose another driver from their reserve team. This is something that has not been done in recent history. Yes, we have seen Red Bull make changes in their lineups halfway through the season, but they’ve never publicly given a timeline to the driver like this.
Scoring points is not something Colapinto hasn’t done before. Last year, the Argentine driver replaced Logan Sargeant after the Dutch Grand Prix and went on to score points in just his 2nd F1 race. This was an impressive feat, as his predecessor had only managed to score one point after racing for 2 years with Williams. This was one of the reasons Alpine jumped at the opportunity to sign Colapinto. Now, he has to prove it again on the track.
How Flavio Briatore Went from an FIA Ban to Leading the Alpine F1 Team
Scoring points in the grid we have this season is not going to be easy. We already have the top 4 teams, being McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari, scoring points consistently in every race. This leaves just 2 points-scoring positions on the table. In the past couple of races, these 2 points positions have often been occupied by Williams.
Despite this fact, it is possible for Colapinto to gain some points. Earlier in the season, we saw Pierre Gasly in the other Alpine score in the points for a couple of races. So we know that the Alpine is capable of finishing in the top 10. Now, let’s take a look at the calendar and see where Franco will have the best chance to do so.
Where will Franco Colapinto have the best chance to score points
For the next 5 races, F1 will be racing in Imola, Monaco, Barcelona, Canada, and Austria. Based on where Gasly was able to deliver strong results, the Alpine A525 should be strong in Imola, Barcelona and Austria.
The tracks in Imola, Barcelona and Austria have similar characteristics to Bahrain, where Gasly managed to finish 7th. These tracks could provide Colapinto with the best opportunity to score points with the Alpine.
🚨| BREAKING: Franco Colapinto to replace Jack Doohan from Imola for the next five races!#F1 #AlpineF1 pic.twitter.com/LiwQ2SrllU
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) May 7, 2025
In addition to these tracks, Monaco could also give Franco a good chance, provided he qualifies high. The Monaco street circuit is well known for its narrow layout, making it nearly impossible to overtake. So if Colapinto is able to perform strongly in qualifying, he should be able to finish in the points as long as he keeps the car on track.
The next 5 races are going to be increasingly challenging for the Argentine driver. The pressure is on for him to prove once again that he belongs in F1. Do you think Franco Colapinto will score points in the next 5 races? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
