Alpine weighs Doohan-Colapinto swap ahead of Imola
Alpine F1 Team Considers Franco Colapinto for Driver Switch at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Alpine F1 Team may be on the brink of making a bold driver switch ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, with rising Argentine star Franco Colapinto potentially replacing rookie Jack Doohan, multiple sources have revealed. The news comes amid mounting speculation over Doohan’s performance during the early stages of his debut Formula 1 season.
Performance Struggles for Jack Doohan
The Australian driver, son of motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, has struggled in his first six outings, showing only glimpses of promise. Despite flashes of strong qualifying pace, his campaign has been marred by costly incidents, including crashes in Australia and Japan, and a risky first-corner clash with Liam Lawson during last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. The ill-timed Miami accident has reportedly intensified internal discussions about his future, especially as Alpine signed Colapinto as a reserve driver earlier this year.
Franco Colapinto’s Rising Star
Franco Colapinto, 21, has been a rising talent on Alpine’s radar since joining the team in January on loan from Williams. Backed by Argentina’s prominent energy company YPF, whose CEO Horacio Marin was reportedly caught off-mic last week hinting at Colapinto stepping into the Alpine race seat for the Italian Grand Prix, the young driver offers a fresh alternative. Such a move would grant Colapinto three back-to-back race weekends—Imola, Monaco, and Spain—allowing him to stake his claim as a full-time F1 driver.
Colapinto brings valuable experience to the table, having raced on all three upcoming circuits during his Formula 2 career. He became a sensation in his home country last year following an impressive Formula 1 debut with Williams, where he replaced Logan Sargeant at the Italian Grand Prix, earning points later in Baku. Sources suggest his brief yet impactful stint in Williams convinced Alpine to strike a loan deal with their rival constructor.
Alpine Boss Responds to Rumors
Alpine boss Ollie Oakes had tried to push back against the rumors ahead of the Miami race, stating on Friday, "As it is today, Jack is our driver along with Pierre. We've been pretty clear on that. We always evaluate, but yeah—today, that is the case." However, his tone hinted at uncertainty. He added, "Jack needs to continue doing a good job. But it’s natural that there’s always speculation there."
Intriguingly, Oakes then canceled his planned Sunday evening media session, citing travel changes—a rare move, contradicting expectations after a smoothly executed race event in Miami.
Decision Looms for Alpine
Sources suggest that Alpine’s leadership will use the off week between Miami and Imola to weigh their options and finalize their decision. Should Colapinto replace Doohan, insiders indicate that the Australian would likely remain part of the Alpine fold in another capacity. Doohan joined Alpine as a prominent figure in its junior program prior to stepping into the F1 spotlight.
Implications for Alpine’s Future
A switch would come at a crucial juncture for Alpine as they assess their roster ahead of mid-season development campaigns, balancing immediate performance with long-term driver development. This story promises to develop rapidly as the team looks to clarify their plans—keeping fans on edge as Imola looms.
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