Alpine and Cadillac are both actively searching for drivers for the 2026 season, and one driver in particular could be highly contested between the two teams.
Currently, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are attracting significant attention from multiple sides, especially given that Cadillac has reportedly expressed interest in both experienced drivers. Both the Finnish veteran and the Mexican star could face competition from more than one team, as the American outfit is not the only one seeking seasoned talent for the upcoming season.
According to the German motorsport news site Auto Motor und Sport (AMuS), Franco Colapinto is likely to be replaced at Alpine next year. Reports suggest that former team principal Flavio Briatore has “set his sights” on both Sergio Perez and Alpine’s third driver. However, the pair have also been strongly linked to Cadillac, which has yet to finalize its driver lineup for 2026.
Indeed, rumors that emerged on Wednesday from multiple sources indicate that Valtteri Bottas could become Cadillac’s first official driver on the grid in 2026. This development means that the 35-year-old Finnish driver is no longer considered an option for Alpine or Briatore’s interests.
The possibility of Sergio Perez
With Bottas seemingly unavailable, Sergio Perez remains a prime candidate in the driver market and will need to carefully weigh his options before making a decision for 2026. The underwhelming performances of Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson this season have only enhanced Perez’s reputation, placing him squarely in the spotlight.
Perez’s financial backing and his reputation as one of the strongest midfield drivers make him an appealing choice for both Alpine and Cadillac. His experience, racecraft, and proven consistency in F1 add to his attractiveness as a top-tier option for teams looking to strengthen their lineups.
Discussing Alpine’s current driver situation, AMuS noted: “Pierre Gasly remains one of the few strong points for Alpine. The French driver is making the most of the A525 and is gradually increasing his market value.”
“Gasly hopes that Alpine will improve its situation with the Mercedes power unit in 2026. If not, he may look elsewhere,” the German site continued. “The seat alongside the team’s number one driver is still up for grabs. After rookie Jack Doohan failed to impress and was replaced by Franco Colapinto, nothing has really changed. Even Colapinto is struggling to find consistent pace.”
AMuS added, “Colapinto is expected to leave at the end of the season. Flavio Briatore has his eye on Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, although both are also being targeted by Cadillac.”
Alpine’s alternative option
If Alpine fails to secure either Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas, the team could turn to Paul Aron as an alternative. The 21-year-old Estonian is currently part of Alpine’s junior program. He was previously a member of the Mercedes Junior Team from 2019 to 2023, and since the 2025 season, he has served as a reserve driver for both Alpine and Sauber.
Aron is actively competing in Formula 2 with Hitech GP but has already impressed Alpine during F1 practice sessions. In addition to participating in FP1 sessions with the Enstone-based team, he has also driven for Sauber in two free practice sessions.
Ultimately, everything will depend on Franco Colapinto’s performances in the final races of the 2025 season. While the Argentine driver does not appear to face an immediate risk of losing his seat, he will need to demonstrate consistently strong results to prove that he deserves to remain in the team.
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