In a surprising shake-up within the Formula 1 landscape, Alpine has officially announced the replacement of rookie driver Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto for the next five races of the 2025 season. This decision comes after a series of disappointing performances from Doohan, who failed to score any points in his first six races, culminating in a premature retirement during the recent Miami Grand Prix.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, just a day after Alpine's team principal Oliver Oakes resigned unexpectedly. Flavio Briatore, the team's executive advisor, will now take over Oakes' responsibilities while continuing in his original role.
Doohan, 22, made his Formula 1 debut at the end of 2024, stepping in for Esteban Ocon at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, his performance in the 2025 season has been underwhelming, with a best finish of 13th place and a string of incidents that have raised eyebrows. Notably, he crashed out of the Miami Grand Prix after colliding with Liam Lawson on the very first lap. This incident added to his tally of misfortunes, including a crash during the season opener in Australia and another significant accident during practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.
"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 remarked. He expressed disappointment over the recent developments but emphasized his commitment to the team as he transitions back to his role as the first-choice reserve driver.
Colapinto, 21, has been signed as a reserve driver since January 2025 after a promising stint with Williams in which he scored five points in nine races. His impressive performances caught the attention of Alpine, leading to speculation about a potential driver swap. Briatore stated, "With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, we see the need to rotate our line-up." Colapinto will partner with Pierre Gasly starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, set to take place from May 16-18, 2025.
Alpine is currently languishing in ninth place in the constructors' standings after six rounds, with only seven points to their name. The team is hoping that the change in drivers will help them improve their performance and secure more points in the upcoming races. Briatore also noted that the team will reassess the driver situation after the British Grand Prix in July 2025.
The decision to replace Doohan is not just a reflection of his performance but also a strategic move as Alpine prepares for the significant regulatory changes coming in 2026. Briatore has emphasized the need for a thorough evaluation of the drivers to maximize the team's ambitions for the future, stating, "Having a complete and fair assessment of the drivers this season is the right thing to do in order to maximize our ambitions next year."
Colapinto's arrival is expected to bring not only talent but also commercial backing from Argentina, which could be beneficial for the team's financial health. His previous experience in Formula 1, despite being marred by some crashes, has given him valuable insight that he hopes to leverage in his new role.
As for Doohan, while he is momentarily sidelined, he remains optimistic about his future in the sport. "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, showing resilience in the face of adversity.
The upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be a critical test for both Colapinto and Alpine as they aim to turn their season around. With the pressure mounting and the stakes high, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this new driver lineup performs on the track.
This driver swap marks a significant moment in Alpine's ongoing quest for success in Formula 1, a journey that has been fraught with challenges since the team returned as a full works outfit in 2016. The team has yet to finish higher than fourth in the constructors' standings and has only one race win to its name, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As the season progresses, the developments at Alpine will undoubtedly be a focal point in the world of Formula 1, with both the team and its drivers under scrutiny as they strive for improvement and success in the highly competitive racing environment.
