Mercedes allows Bottas to move to Alpine as a replacement for Colapinto

So far, Alpine has been unfortunate with their drivers besides Pierre Gasly in 2025. The French team started the year with Jack Doohan, but after disappointing performances, the Australian was quickly sidelined. Subsequently, reserve driver Franco Colapinto was given a chance.

The Argentine has not been convincing so far, either. Colapinto has not scored any points, not even last weekend in Austria. At the Red Bull Ring, he finished fifteenth, a lap behind the winner Lando Norris.

Alpine announced that Colapinto was initially given five Grands Prix to prove himself. Flavio Briatore, who is currently leading the team, later dismissed that and stated that no deadline was set for Colapinto.

Before the race in Spielberg, GPblog heard that the intention was for the former Williams driver to continue racing for Alpine in the coming races. But that is less certain, now that Bottas is the main candidate to replace Colapinto this season, if Alpine decides to part with the Argentine.

GPblog has learned that Mercedes will not block Bottas if the Finn gets the opportunity to return to the F1 grid with Alpine.

Bottas is the reserve driver for the German team, but hopes to make his comeback as a full-time Grand Prix driver by next season at the latest. The former vice-champion is also an option for the new Cadillac team.

Alpine appears - especially with an eye to the future - to be a more interesting option, as the team will race with the expectedly strong Mercedes power units in ‘26. For the French team, the knowledge Bottas brings from Mercedes could potentially be invaluable.