Alpine upset predicted as driver uncertainty looms

Alpine is looking to the upcoming F1 season as a fresh start following a troubled campaign last year.

It commenced the season competing towards the back of the grid, and although it progressed as the year wore on, overall, it was a painful time.

Pierre Gasly returns for a third season in French blue and is joined by rookie Jack Doohan who made his grand prix debut in Abu Dhabi last season.

However, in a case like no other on the grid this year, a third driver is waiting in the wings with a serious chance to pounce at an opportunity to get back behind the wheel of an F1 car.

Franco Colapinto has joined Alpine as a reserve driver and has already started work at his new team following his impressive stint with Williams in 2024.

As part of a series, RacingNews365 asked readers which driver they believed would come out on top from each of the 10 partnerships on the grid in 2025.

While Gasly emerged as the clear winner at Alpine, F1 fans have predicted Colapinto will indeed get his chance and out-perform Doohan in the points standings.

Full result below. Article continues underneath.

Analysis

Pierre Gasly confidently sits as the leading driver at Alpine as he prepares to partner rookie Doohan at the team this year.

Gasly is entering his eighth full season in F1 and his third with Alpine as he looks to better fortunes compared to the last campaign.

Although the end-of-season spirits were lifted by an unexpected double podium in Brazil, Alpine's lacklustre pace at the start of the season had a ripple effect that saw consistent criticism aimed its way.

It is starting afresh this year with Gasly leading the team, but question marks have already been raised regarding the other side of the garage.

Colapinto's short but sharp stint with Williams last year caught the attention of many F1 teams and it was Alpine which succeeded in adding the Argentine to its arsenal.

With a multi-year deal in place, it seems Colapinto will not be drifting anywhere anytime soon as he sees Alpine as his best route back to the grid.

The situation has placed considerable pressure on the shoulders of Doohan before the 22-year-old has even had time to get up to speed in the sport.

Many people think it's a matter of 'when' Doohan is moved aside, not 'if'. It's a reminder of just how ruthless the F1 world is.

Doohan must perform early on and live up to the goals that will be set out for him. 

But don't be surprised if his leash is shorter than other rookies, with Colapinto eagerly awaiting his opportunity on the sidelines.