Formula 1 heads to Baku for the 17th round of the 2025 season, but for one driver, it could be his last appearance on the grid.
Since 2016, Baku has hosted many memorable races on its tight city streets, and there is a strong chance of another remarkable chapter this year.
While Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are battling for the championship, another driver is fighting to keep his spot in Formula 1.
As teams start looking ahead to their line-ups for 2026, seats are quickly filling up. Alpine, Red Bull and Mercedes hold the remaining spots.
Red Bull still have not named Max Verstappen’s teammate or confirmed Racing Bulls’ plans with Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson all out of contract.
Pierre Gasly recently signed a new deal with Alpine through to 2028, but his teammate for next year is still unknown. Over at Mercedes, Toto Wolff has committed to keeping George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the line-up – though neither currently has a contract beyond this season.
Alpine considering dropping Franco Colapinto after the 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Alpine are also considering another change to their driver line-up before the end of the 2025 F1 season. According to Krone, Franco Colapinto could be dropped after next Sunday’s Azerbaijan GP if he makes another mistake in Baku following a disappointing run of form.
Baku was a bright spot for Colapinto last year, as he picked up his first points in F1 with an eighth-place finish for Williams in just his second race. But since taking over from Jack Doohan at Alpine in May, he has yet to score any points.
The Argentine is now ten races into his stint with Alpine, but his 17th-place finish at Monza has increased the pressure on him. The team feels he is performing well below their expectations and may decide to make a change soon.
His performance at Monza raised serious concerns within Alpine, and it is becoming increasingly possible that he will not finish out the season. Another poor showing in Baku next week could be the final straw, with Colapinto appearing ‘completely overwhelmed’ by the demands of driving the A525.
Alpine could be forced to move on from Franco Colapinto
Colapinto was always going to face pressure stepping in for Jack Doohan, but things have not improved over the past 10 rounds. The Argentine finished P17 in the Italian Grand Prix, and his performances have kept Alpine stuck at the foot of the constructors’ standings.
They would prefer to see out the season with Colapinto alongside Gasly. But if another poor result comes at Baku, they may have no choice but to make a change. Alpine still have time on their side if they feel a different option could offer more stability going forward.
Briatore is already testing the waters for potential replacements, especially looking ahead to 2026. Even though most changes seem aimed at next year, a misstep in Azerbaijan could accelerate those plans.
Alpine have held talks with Zhou Guanyu, Ferrari’s 2025 reserve driver, regarding a return to the F1 grid. The 26-year-old Chinese driver is reportedly eager to return to the grid.
In related news, the team are also set to test McLaren junior Alex Dunne, 19, with McLaren CEO Zak Brown indicating openness to a loan deal for the promising young driver.
Paul Aron is another option within reach, already turning heads with his FP1 outings this season. He has experience under his belt from stints with Sauber and recent runs for Alpine, making him a real possibility to step in.
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