Alpine replaces Doohan with Colapinto on five-race trial

Alpine Announces Franco Colapinto as Replacement for Jack Doohan in Five-Race Shakeup

In a bold mid-season shakeup, Alpine has announced that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five Formula One races, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The decision, described as a "rotation" of their second race seat, reflects the team’s ongoing evaluations as they look to optimize their competitiveness this season and beyond.

"We have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races," said Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore. "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 see the need to rotate our line-up. The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different, and after this time period, we will assess our options."

Briatore also underscored the long-term perspective behind the decision, noting that Alpine is keen on thoroughly assessing its drivers ahead of the pivotal 2026 season. "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," he added.

Franco Colapinto's Big Opportunity

Argentine driver Franco Colapinto has been on Alpine’s radar since joining the team as a reserve driver this January. His stock rose significantly after an impressive stint with Williams last year, where he stepped in for nine races to replace Logan Sargeant. Loaned to Alpine for 2023 with the goal of gaining further race experience, Colapinto is now getting his chance.

"Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races," Colapinto said. "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. I have stayed sharp, and I am as ready as possible with the team’s race support testing program, 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."

Jack Doohan Faces Setback

Jack Doohan’s place at Alpine became precarious following a difficult start to the season. Despite achieving his dream of racing in Formula One, the young Australian struggled with consistency, including several on-track incidents and a lack of pace compared to teammate Pierre Gasly during both qualifying and race conditions.

"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," Doohan said. "Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing. That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team, and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those."

Doohan remains part of Alpine’s plans, with Briatore emphasizing that the door is still open for his return after Colapinto’s five-race trial concludes at the British Grand Prix in July.

Transitions and Leadership Changes at Alpine

The reshuffling of Alpine’s driver lineup comes during a time of broader transitions within the team. On Tuesday, Alpine confirmed that team principal Oliver Oakes has resigned with immediate effect. Briatore has stepped in to assume Oakes’ responsibilities, further consolidating his influence within the team.

Oakes’ departure came abruptly, with the outgoing team principal having stated just days earlier at the Miami Grand Prix that Doohan and Gasly would continue as Alpine’s lineup heading into Imola.

A Critical Five-Race Stretch

For Alpine, the upcoming stretch of races presents both an opportunity and a test. With the car showing marked improvements in performance, the team is eager to extract every ounce of potential from its lineup. While Colapinto takes on the challenge of proving himself under pressure, Doohan will look to regroup and ready himself for a possible second chance.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix kicks off the critical five-race period that will likely shape Alpine’s trajectory—not just for this season but for its long-term vision. All eyes will be on Colapinto this weekend as he looks to capitalize on his big break.

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