In a surprising turn of events, Alpine F1 team is reportedly set to replace rookie driver Jack Doohan with reserve driver Franco Colapinto ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, scheduled for May 16-18, 2025. The decision comes after just six races of the season, during which Doohan has struggled to score points and faced a series of unfortunate incidents on track.
Doohan, the 22-year-old Australian, had been under pressure since the beginning of the season, especially after Alpine signed Colapinto, a promising talent from Argentina, as a reserve driver. Despite showing flashes of potential, including out-qualifying his more experienced teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time during the recent Miami Grand Prix, Doohan's performance has been marred by misfortunes. His race in Miami ended prematurely after a collision with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson on the very first lap, resulting in a puncture and his second DNF (Did Not Finish) of the season.
Before the Miami race, Doohan had already experienced a challenging start to the year, including a heavy crash during practice at the Suzuka circuit and another incident during the season opener in Australia. These mishaps have raised questions about his ability to handle the pressures of Formula 1 racing. "Jack needs to continue doing a good job," Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes stated in a recent press conference, highlighting the ongoing speculation about Doohan's future.
Colapinto, who had a brief stint with Williams last season, scoring points in both the Azerbaijan and US races, brings not only talent but also significant sponsorship backing from Argentina, which adds to his appeal as a potential full-time driver for Alpine. His return to the grid seems imminent, especially after reports surfaced that he could be stepping into Doohan's seat as early as the upcoming race in Imola.
The pressure on Doohan intensified after Alpine's disappointing start to the 2025 season, where the team finds itself languishing in ninth place in the Constructors' Championship, having accumulated just seven points so far. This is a stark contrast to their sixth-place finish in the previous season. The team is eager to improve its standings, and promoting Colapinto could be seen as a strategic move to reignite their performance.
Doohan's tenure at Alpine has been a rollercoaster ride. He was initially promoted to a race seat after the team lost Carlos Sainz to Williams, and despite some promising performances in qualifying, he has yet to convert that speed into race results. His average qualifying gap to Gasly has been around 0.367 seconds, indicating that while he has potential, he has struggled to translate that into race pace.
Reports indicate that Doohan was informed of the team's decision to replace him shortly after the Miami race, suggesting that the switch to Colapinto could happen with immediate effect. While Doohan's future in Formula 1 may be uncertain, he is expected to remain part of Alpine's driver roster in a lesser role, continuing to develop his skills and gain experience.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor, has been a vocal supporter of Colapinto, emphasizing the commercial opportunities that his presence could bring to the team. Briatore's influence within the team has only added to the speculation surrounding Doohan's position, especially after comments made by Horacio Marin, CEO of YPF, a major sponsor of Colapinto, hinted at the Argentine's imminent debut.
As the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix approaches, the spotlight will be on Alpine and their decision-making process. With a potential driver switch looming, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the team will fare with Colapinto in the cockpit. The upcoming race in Imola will serve as a critical juncture for Alpine as they look to turn their season around and reclaim their spot among the competitive midfield.
For Doohan, this transition marks a significant moment in his nascent career. Despite the setbacks, he has shown resilience and the capacity to learn from his experiences. As he navigates the challenges ahead, it remains to be seen how this change will affect his future in the sport.
In conclusion, the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is shaping up to be a pivotal moment not only for Alpine but also for Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto as they each seek to establish their place in Formula 1.
