Breaking:Alpine confirm Colapinto to replace Doohan for next five rounds as… read more
Alpine has officially announced that Franco Colapinto will take over Jack Doohan’s race seat for the next five Formula 1 Grands Prix, starting with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The team stated this move is part of a strategic decision to “rotate” the second driver alongside Pierre Gasly. This development follows the sudden resignation of Alpine’s Team Principal, Oliver Oakes, which occurred just a day before the announcement. Flavio Briatore, the team’s Executive Advisor, will assume Oakes’ responsibilities during this transitional period.
Doohan, who was initially promoted to a full-time race seat for the 2025 season after debuting at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has struggled to deliver consistent performances in the first seven races of the season. Despite being a promising talent, the Australian driver has been unable to match the pace and results of his teammate Gasly. His challenges were highlighted by a first-lap collision with Liam Lawson in Miami, leading to an early retirement, and a crash during practice in Suzuka where he failed to deactivate the DRS in time.
In contrast, Colapinto has garnered attention for his substitute appearances with Williams during the 2024 season. The young Argentine managed to score points in both Azerbaijan and Austin, demonstrating flashes of potential, although his tenure was not without setbacks, including crashes in Brazil and Las Vegas. Nonetheless, Alpine’s management appears eager to evaluate Colapinto’s abilities further in a competitive setting, as part of a broader assessment ahead of the 2026 season.
According to an official statement from Alpine, the team aims to reassess its driver lineup ahead of the British Grand Prix in July, after giving Colapinto five races to prove himself. While Doohan will be stepping out of the main racing seat, he remains closely involved with the team as the first-choice reserve driver during this time.
Colapinto expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the challenge ahead while affirming his readiness thanks to his ongoing work in the simulator and with the team’s testing program. He emphasized his commitment to quickly adapt and deliver strong performances.
Meanwhile, Doohan acknowledged the disappointment of temporarily losing his race seat but maintained a professional outlook, reaffirming his dedication to Alpine’s long-term goals. He expressed his intention to keep working hard and stay prepared for future opportunities.
Briatore noted that Alpine’s improved car performance and the competitiveness of the current field justified the decision to test different driver options. He reiterated the importance of a full evaluation during the 2025 season to prepare effectively for the team’s ambitions in 2026, while continuing to support Doohan during this period.
