Alpine’s Shocking Decision: Jack Doohan Replaced by Franco Colapinto

In a surprising move, Alpine has dropped Jack Doohan just six rounds into his rookie Formula 1 campaign, replacing him with Franco Colapinto for the next five races, beginning with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Doohan, who had yet to score a point this season, will remain with Alpine as a reserve driver, but his demotion raises questions about the team’s strategy and the pressure on young drivers in Formula 1.

Doohan’s arrival at Alpine in 2025 was seen as a milestone in his racing career. After spending three years as a reserve driver, the 22-year-old Australian finally secured a race seat at Alpine, replacing the outgoing Esteban Ocon. However, his stint in the cockpit has been underwhelming, with Doohan struggling to keep pace with his teammate Pierre Gasly. Despite some flashes of potential, Doohan has been unable to deliver consistent results, and his early season performance has been marked by costly crashes, including a major incident at the Australian Grand Prix and another at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The decision to replace him comes as no surprise to many, especially after the January signing of Franco Colapinto. Colapinto, 21, was brought in as a reserve driver after impressing in a limited role with Williams in 2024. The Argentine quickly attracted attention for his strong performances in his brief F1 appearances last season, including two points-scoring finishes in just four races. With significant backing from his home country, Colapinto has the potential to bring both talent and financial support to Alpine.

Alpine’s decision to install Colapinto as Gasly’s teammate on a short-term five-race deal has been framed as part of an ongoing assessment of the team’s driver line-up. In a statement, executive advisor Flavio Briatore, who has taken over as team principal following Oliver Oakes’ resignation, explained the rationale behind the change: “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 are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up.”

The team’s ambition for the 2026 season, which they believe will be a crucial year, also played a significant role in the decision. Briatore emphasized that it was important to evaluate the drivers thoroughly this season to maximize Alpine’s chances in the near future.

Despite the setback, Doohan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to race in Formula 1, acknowledging that being a professional driver had been his lifelong dream. However, he also admitted that it was difficult to accept the demotion, particularly given the pressures that come with racing at the sport’s highest level. He remains committed to supporting Alpine in any way he can, continuing to work hard and chase his personal goals.

On the other hand, Colapinto’s promotion signals the next step in what has already been a unique F1 journey. The young driver, who joined Alpine as a reserve in January, now finds himself thrust into the spotlight with only five races to prove himself. Colapinto has shown great promise in his limited F1 outings, and now, with a race seat at Alpine, he faces the challenge of adapting quickly to the pressures of a full-time F1 career. His initial task will be to form a strong partnership with Gasly and contribute to the team’s performance as they push for greater success.

The situation surrounding Colapinto’s promotion is further complicated by the fact that Alpine has several options in their reserve driver pool. Along with Doohan, the team has Estonian driver Paul Aron, who is also waiting in the wings for his opportunity. In Formula 1, where team dynamics and driver performances are constantly under scrutiny, the pressure on Colapinto will be immense.

In many ways, Colapinto’s promotion to the race seat is an unorthodox move, considering his lack of experience in a full-time F1 role. However, with Alpine’s commitment to assessing their driver line-up over the next few races, Colapinto has a chance to prove that his early promise wasn’t a fluke. For Doohan, the demotion is a bitter pill to swallow, but it also represents the harsh realities of F1, where results speak louder than potential.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Colapinto to see if he can make the most of his five-race opportunity, while Doohan’s future with Alpine remains uncertain. With the team looking toward the 2026 season, the next few races will play a pivotal role in shaping Alpine’s long-term strategy and driver choices.