The silly season in Formula 1 never ceases to amaze even the most seasoned followers, and this year is no different. As we approach the summer stretch of the 2024 season, the transfer market is positively abuzz, with team lineups for next year still very much in flux. One of the key puzzles yet to fall into place is the identity of Pierre Gasly’s teammate at Alpine for 2025. After a dramatic contract saga, Esteban Ocon announced his departure, and the question on every Hungarian fan’s mind is: who will fill this crucial seat alongside Gasly?
Alpine has endured a turbulent campaign thus far, with poor reliability, strategic misfires, and regular struggles to crack the points. Despite this, the Enstone-based squad remains a prestigious destination, boasting a proud heritage dating back to the Benetton and Renault days. Gasly has given glimpses of his prodigious talent, but for the team to turn its fortunes around, the right partner is essential. Team Principal Bruno Famin has made it clear that Alpine will leave no stone unturned in its search for the ideal candidate.
Several names have surfaced as possible replacements for Ocon. Young talents jostle with seasoned veterans, and the stakes could not be higher. With the ‘silly season’ in full swing, supporters speculate daily on who might don the blue suit next season, and the intrigue is only intensifying as summer approaches.
Among the strongest candidates is Jack Doohan, Alpine’s own reserve driver and a regular fixture in the F2 paddock over the past two seasons. The Australian has impressed not only with his outright pace but also his technical feedback in simulator sessions and free practice outings. Promoting young drivers from within has reaped rich rewards elsewhere on the grid – think Russell at Mercedes or Norris at McLaren – so Alpine could well look to replicate that formula in 2025. Doohan’s hunger and understanding of Alpine’s culture give him a distinct edge.
Nevertheless, other contenders remain in the picture. Mick Schumacher’s name has circulated widely, thanks to his known tenacity and recent exploits in endurance racing for Alpine’s sister project. Would a return to F1 be possible for the German? Schumacher knows the rigors of the sport better than most juniors, and a second act in blue could be what both the team and driver need to reignite their trajectories. His superstar surname and ties to the French marque wouldn’t hurt, either, in boosting Alpine’s public profile.
The familiar figure of Valtteri Bottas also emerges as a possibility. Long admired for his professionalism and developmental skills, Bottas brings years of F1 experience and a track record for working constructively in pressurized team environments. With Sauber-Audi on a transition path, the Finnish ace may relish the opportunity to kick off a new challenge and help Alpine’s ongoing rebuilding process. Let’s not forget, Bottas’s smooth adaptation to team changes and penchant for consistency have made him a reliable asset over the years.
Dark horses could still surprise. Alpine’s recent willingness to think outside the box means wildcards, such as an external driver with recent WEC or Formula E pedigree, cannot be discounted. The team’s links with France’s premier racing ladder and its connection to manufacturers’ motorsport projects hint at a possibly unconventional, but inspired, decision.
As we await confirmation, one thing is certain: whoever steps into the cockpit alongside Pierre Gasly faces a formidable task. Navigating both the demanding F1 calendar and the internal pressure of a rejuvenating team, the new Alpine driver could shape the squad for years to come. This is the kind of intrigue and excitement that Formula 1 fans – magyar szurkolók included – relish. Watch this space closely, and keep your Alpine flags ready; the future could be closer than you think.
