Alpine’s Bold Move: Colapinto Steps In for Doohan
In a surprising turn of events, Alpine has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will be stepping into the driver’s seat, replacing Jack Doohan for the next five races. This change will take effect starting at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The French team announced this decision on Wednesday, marking a novel approach to “rotate” the driver in its second race seat alongside Pierre Gasly.
Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, explained the rationale behind this decision, stating, “Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races. With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, which the team has drastically improved in the past 12 months, we are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up.”
This move is not just about the present but also about the future. Briatore added, “We also know the 2026 season will be an important one for the team and having a complete and fair assessment of the drivers this season is the right thing to do in order to maximise our ambitions next year.”
While Doohan’s position has been in doubt since Alpine signed Colapinto to a reserve driver role in January, the team continues to support him. Briatore emphasized, “We continue to support Jack at the team, as he has acted in a very professional manner in his role as a race driver so far this season. The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time period we will assess our options.”
Colapinto, the Argentine driver, has been on the radar since impressing as Logan Sargeant‘s replacement at Williams for nine races last year. Williams loaned him to Alpine this year with the expectation that he would gain some race experience. Colapinto expressed his gratitude, saying, “Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races. I will work hard with the team to prepare for the next race in Imola and the upcoming triple-header, which will no doubt be intense and a big challenge for everyone.”
He added, “I have stayed sharp, and I am as ready as possible with the team’s race support testing programme, as well as on the simulator at Enstone. I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results alongside Pierre.”
Doohan, on the other hand, has faced challenges this season, struggling to make a mark in his five races, with multiple crashes and difficulties in matching the qualifying performances or race results of his teammate, Pierre Gasly. Reflecting on the situation, Doohan said, “I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula One driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream. Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing.”
Despite the setback, Doohan remains committed to the team’s goals. “That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team to achieve and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those. For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals,” he stated.
Adding to the drama, Alpine confirmed on Tuesday that team principal Oliver Oakes has resigned with immediate effect, with Briatore taking over Oakes’ duties. This comes after Oakes had said as recently as the Friday at the Miami Grand Prix that, at that moment, the plan was to keep Doohan alongside Gasly for the next round in Imola.
- Alpine’s decision to rotate drivers is a strategic move aimed at future success.
- Colapinto’s rise in prominence has been swift, thanks to his impressive performances.
- Doohan remains a valued member of the team despite the current changes.
As the racing world watches closely, the next five races will be crucial for both Colapinto and Doohan, as well as for Alpine’s future plans. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on, but one thing is certain: the excitement is palpable.
Originally Written by: Nate Saunders
