Alpine’s decision to sign Franco Colapinto as its third reserve driver may, on paper at least, look to be a strange deal. But it actually makes a lot of sense.

Colapinto’s switch from Williams was confirmed on Thursday, with the 21-year-old signing a multi-year deal to join initially as the team’s test and reserve driver for the 2025 season. He will also take part in the Testing of Previous Cars Programme [TPC] as well as working in the team’s simulator at Enstone.

The Argentine made an impressive start to his F1 career last season, when he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams from the Italian Grand Prix onwards. Strong early performances, including scoring points in his second race in Azerbaijan, and in Austin for the US GP, had attracted the attention of Red Bull and Alpine.

Colapinto was not only proving to be quick, but also a lucrative option as his interest in Argentina had caught the eye of numerous sponsors. But Williams had already committed to partnering Alex Albon with Carlos Sainz. And a sticky end to the campaign saw a potential move to Red Bull or its sister team, Racing Bulls, dry up.

Yet it has not dissuaded Alpine from reaching a financial agreement with Williams.

Colapinto’s signing makes sense for a number of reasons – the first being that lucrative boost to the coffers. Alpine will undoubtedly look to capitalise on his wealthy South American sponsors, with Williams team principal James Vowles saying the phone was “ringing off the hook” when he replaced Sargeant due to enquires from Argentina “paying the market rate for stickers on the car”.

Colapinto has been released by Williams and will now pile pressure on Doohan to perform

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

The other aspect is that there is a lack of depth within Alpine’s ranks – despite it having two other reserves. There is a gap in talent since Alpine lost Oscar Piastri to McLaren following a contract dispute in 2022.

Ryo Hirakawa, who was only confirmed by Alpine just hours before Colapinto’s announcement, was part of McLaren’s development team in 2024 and will take part in first practice in the Japanese Grand Prix. However, it is difficult to see where the 30-year-old, who won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2022 and is part of Toyota’s World Endurance Championship roster, will fit into Alpine’s future plans.

The team’s other reserve, Paul Aron, had a solid Formula 2 season as a rookie last year and did well enough in the post-season Abu Dhabi test on his Alpine bow. The Estonian looks to be the real loser in the situation following Colapinto’s arrival. Aron, who was ditched from Mercedes young driver programme in 2023, is a driver known well by Alpine’s team principal Oliver Oakes, having previously raced for Hitech.

PLUS: Ranking the top 10 Formula 1 support acts of 2024

The final, and perhaps crucial element, is what Colapinto’s arrival means for Jack Doohan. The Aussie, who according to reports is at least assured of starting the first six F1 races of the 2025 season, will come under intense pressure to deliver.

The 21-year-old has only competed in one F1 race – the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi where he finished 15th, and remains an unknown quantity. The son of five-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing champion Mick Doohan was third in the 2023 F2 championship, but has otherwise had a mediocre junior career.

Should he struggle in the opening few races, Alpine knows it now has a ready-made replacement in Colapinto, who has nine F1 races under his belt. It might seem hard on Doohan, but Alpine could simply not pass up on the opportunity to miss out on Colapinto’s availability.

The assumption is that Doohan will be looking over his shoulder – and that is exactly how it should be in F1. The situation at Alpine has been too cosy for too long and this now offers some internal competition, which can only be a good thing.

Alpine already has Aron and now Hirakawa on its reserve roster – ensuring no shortage of internal competition

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

This the nature of the beast in F1. We have seen in recent years how teams are no longer willing to give drivers a run in their cars when they are not performing. This ruthlessness has resulted in early exits for the likes of Nyck de Vries, Mick Schumacher and Sargeant.

For the meantime, Doohan’s future remains in his hands. If he makes a solid start to the season, then Colapinto will remain on the sidelines.

PLUS: Assessing Doohan’s slow-burn debut at F1’s Abu Dhabi finale

So while it might seem bewildering to have so many reserve drivers in the team, this signing is of paramount importance. For while Alpine might not currently find itself competing with those teams at the front, it will still remain competitive internally. And that will only drive the team forward – or indeed to destruction.

The team’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, would not want to have it any other way.

Doohan knows he needs to hit the ground running this season after making his GP debut in Abu Dhabi

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images