Bottas ought to seriously evaluate the Alpine proposal.

      "He's definitely going to have to perform."

      Valtteri Bottas should carefully consider any proposal to return to a Formula 1 car mid-season, as noted by an F1 analyst. The 2025 season for Alpine continues to be marked by instability and disappointing results, particularly following the unexpected departure of Renault CEO Luca de Meo. De Meo had appointed Flavio Briatore as his executive advisor for F1, and now the 75-year-old has also taken on the role of interim leader after the sudden exit of team principal Oliver Oakes.

      "Briatore is adamant that he will continue in his role until 2029, albeit with some changes," reports Auto Motor und Sport. "He now has to report directly to Renault president Jean-Dominique Senard," added correspondent Michael Schmidt, who noted that Senard is also reportedly committed to motorsport.

      In fact, rumors from Austria last weekend indicated that Alpine might revert to the Renault name beginning in 2026. However, Briatore’s primary concern is that he believes Alpine has a car capable of reaching Q3, but his promising driver Franco Colapinto is not meeting expectations. With Alpine at the bottom of the constructors’ championship, numerous credible reports suggest that Briatore met with his colleague and 2026 engine partner, Toto Wolff, to discuss the situation in Austria.

      The discussion with the Mercedes team principal reportedly lasted thirty minutes and included the possibility of loaning reserve driver Bottas—a ten-time grand prix champion—to Alpine. However, the 35-year-old Finnish driver is thought to be on the verge of finalizing a multi-season contract with the new 2026 team, Cadillac.

      "If Bottas joins Alpine now and (Pierre) Gasly consistently outperforms him, he can kiss that Cadillac deal goodbye for next year," remarked respected and seasoned Dutch commentator Olav Mol. "He’s definitely going to have to perform; otherwise, he’ll be completely out of Formula 1," Mol told Ziggo Sport.

      Nonetheless, some believe that Bottas may have already signed a contract with Cadillac. "In that case, it wouldn't matter as much," Mol concedes. "It would then serve as a good temporary situation."

      Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, on the other hand, suggests there's more to the Bottas-to-Alpine speculation than mere performance. "Keep in mind that Alpine will have Mercedes engines next year," he pointed out. "So Alpine might be thinking, 'Let’s have Bottas drive for now, and we’ll negotiate a discount on the engines for next season.'

      Ultimately, that's just high-level business." Doornbos also mentioned that it’s clear Colapinto, 21, has not met the expectations so far. "He arrived at Williams with great promise, but now he’s only creating problems," said the Dutchman.