Colapinto straight into Alpine work with Zandvoort test, with Norris and Piastri also present

The Argentine was brought in as a reserve driver after he left Williams at the end of the 2024 season, impressing at the British team after replacing Logan Sargeant.

After just six races into the 2025 season, he will now get back behind the wheel as he replaces Australian Doohan, while the French team also saw team principal Oliver Oakes resign a day before that swap became official.

Along with Colapinto, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will appear at Circuit Zandvoort for a test day on Thursday, with both Alpine and McLaren undergoing a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars).

GPblog were able to confirm earlier that Alpine and McLaren would be in action in Zandvoort on 7th and 8th May. McLaren kicked off the test session on Wednesday with 19-year-old Irishman Alex Dunne from the British team's academy, while Colapinto was immediately in action for Alpine. Neither McLaren nor Alpine wanted to share details about the tests.

Thursday, it will be Colapinto’s turn, together with the regular drivers from McLaren, with Norris and Piastri in action on the second test day.

Many eyes are on Colapinto, who is racking up important miles in the run-up to his first F1 race as a regular driver for Alpine, which will be around the famous Imola circuit for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Colapinto is the second Formula 1 driver this season to get a promotion due to the disappointing performances of his predecessor. Earlier this year, Red Bull Racing demoted Liam Lawson back to Racing Bulls, resulting in Yuki Tsunoda being promoted to join Max Verstappen. So far, the Japanese driver is making a strong impression in the difficult seat next to the four-time world champion.