As the second half of the 2025 Formula 1 season begins, Alpine continues to grab headlines—this time not for podium finishes, but for internal chaos and underwhelming results. The French team currently sits at the bottom of the constructors' standings and is reportedly considering replacing Franco Colapinto with veteran driver Valtteri Bottas.
Alpine’s season has been marked by major structural changes. Team boss Oliver Oakes resigned early in the year, prompting Flavio Briatore to step in and take de facto control. Former FIA sporting director Steve Nielsen is also expected to join soon, while CEO Luca de Meo has stepped down. In a significant shift, Alpine will drop Renault power units and become a Mercedes customer team starting in 2026.
Driver instability has mirrored these internal shifts. Jack Doohan started the season in one of the seats but was replaced by Colapinto after six races. However, the Argentine driver remains scoreless midway through the season, casting doubt on his future.
According to journalist Jake Boxall-Legge on the "James Allen on F1" podcast, Alpine is now in talks with Bottas to take over Colapinto’s seat. “I believe there’s a real offer on the table for Bottas,” said Boxall-Legge. “Perez is also being mentioned, but there’s still huge uncertainty about that second seat. It’s hard to say what Alpine’s plan really is.”
With internal turbulence and unclear direction, Alpine’s path forward remains uncertain. But one thing is clear—Colapinto’s seat is at risk, and Bottas may just be the steady hand the team needs during these stormy times.