F1 Shake-Up: Franco Colapinto Replaces Jack Doohan at Alpine 🏁
Alpine F1 has officially dropped rookie driver Jack Doohan and appointed Argentina’s Franco Colapinto for a five-race stint starting at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The surprise announcement comes just six races into the 2025 season.
🔁 Driver Change Confirmed for Emilia Romagna GP
Alpine announced Wednesday morning that 21-year-old Franco Colapinto will partner Pierre Gasly beginning at Imola. This marks a new chapter for both Alpine and Colapinto, whose short but eventful F1 journey continues to surprise.
🗓️ Colapinto will debut in Alpine colors from May 16–18, with the race live on Sky Sports F1.
📉 Why Jack Doohan Was Dropped
Jack Doohan, who joined Alpine’s race line-up this season, has struggled to make an impact. Despite flashes of speed, he failed to score a single point in the opening six rounds.
Key setbacks included:
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❌ A crash in Australia (season opener)
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❌ Another major incident in Japan (Round 3)
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❌ Heated radio exchange in Miami after early Sprint Qualifying exit
Alpine confirmed that Doohan will stay on as a reserve driver. Despite his disappointment, Doohan remained professional and expressed gratitude to the team.
🗣️ “Obviously, this is tough to take. But I’ll continue to support the team and keep working toward my goals,” said Doohan.
🧠 The Thinking Behind the Switch
Team advisor Flavio Briatore, who recently stepped in after the resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes, explained the decision:
“The competition this year is incredibly tight. We want a full assessment of all driver options ahead of 2026. This rotation gives us clarity.”
He emphasized that Colapinto’s five-race run is part of a broader evaluation strategy.
🇦🇷 Colapinto’s Unconventional F1 Journey
Franco Colapinto’s path to F1 has been anything but traditional. After replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams for the final nine races of 2024, he impressed early with two points finishes in four races.
Although he struggled in the season's final rounds with a few crashes, Alpine surprisingly signed him as a reserve in January 2025.
🔄 Now, he's on a five-race trial with Alpine — and the pressure is on.
🗣️ “I’m grateful for this opportunity and ready to give it my all. The upcoming triple-header will be tough, but I’m prepared,” Colapinto said.
Colapinto will need to deliver consistently, with Estonian talent Paul Aron also waiting in the wings for a possible seat.
🧩 What’s Next for Alpine?
The move signals a transitional phase at Alpine. With internal reshuffling and a focus on building a stronger line-up for 2026, the next five races could define Colapinto’s long-term future — and reshape Alpine’s direction.
Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at the Emilia Romagna GP and beyond! 🏎️💥
