Behind the scenes, Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore has been described as a volatile “bomb that can explode at any minute,” intensifying uncertainty over Colapinto's future amid a string of underwhelming performances and mishaps.

Colapinto was promoted to Alpine’s race seat mid-season after impressing in Formula 2 and stepping in for Jack Doohan following the Miami Grand Prix. However, since his comeback to the grid, the 22-year-old has struggled to find rhythm, compounded by some unlucky incidents.

This dip in form has reportedly pushed Briatore to explore other options, including talks with Mercedes about possibly signing experienced driver Valtteri Bottas for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.

A Volatile Environment Under Briatore’s Shadow

The atmosphere surrounding Colapinto’s position at Alpine is a reflection of Briatore’s notorious reputation for unpredictability and high demands. Riccardo Patrese, who worked with Briatore at Benetton in the early 1990s, told media that Briatore is like “a bomb that can explode at any minute.”

Patrese elaborated that, given Colapinto’s struggles and accidents, he is in a precarious spot because Briatore is unlikely to provide leniency or morale support, making the Argentine’s status far from secure.

Such an environment amplifies pressure on Colapinto to deliver rapid improvements and avoid costly errors. As Alpine faces the demanding task of preparing for the 2026 season, every race counts in the internal assessment of driver performance.

Potential Moves and Team Dynamics

Amid the swirling speculation, Alpine is set to retain Colapinto for the immediate future, confirmed to race the upcoming Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix before the mid-season break. Meanwhile, Briatore’s rumored conversations with Mercedes about a Bottas deal suggest Alpine’s readiness to bring in a seasoned campaigner if Colapinto does not meet expectations.

Alpine’s lead driver Pierre Gasly dismissed the Bottas rumors as “noise,” emphasizing the team’s focus on maximizing the current package amid fierce competition in the midfield. Gasly highlighted the team’s struggles with a car lacking upgrades and acknowledged the tight margins that separate the midfield runners this year.

For Colapinto, who burst onto the F1 scene with Williams in late 2024, the switch to Alpine represented a significant step. He secured an initial five-race run, extended based on performance, yet the 2025 season has underscored how delicate a young driver’s foothold in F1 can be — especially under the watchful eyes of a figure like Briatore.

As Alpine balances immediate results and long-term development, Colapinto must overcome both on-track challenges and off-track pressures to cement his place. In the words of insiders, nothing is guaranteed: with Briatore’s volatile leadership style, Alpine’s driver lineup remains a “bomb ready to explode.”