Alpine Faces Critical Driver Decision Ahead of Imola: Is Doohan Out, Colapinto In?

As Formula 1 heads into its European leg, all eyes are on Alpine as speculation mounts over an imminent driver shake-up that could see Australian rookie Jack Doohan sidelined in favour of Argentine talent Franco Colapinto.

Doohan, who debuted with Alpine at the final race of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi, has endured a rocky start to 2025. Despite being a highly rated graduate of the Alpine Academy and runner-up in the 2023 Formula 2 Championship, his performances this year have failed to meet expectations. With no points from his first seven races and a string of errors — including heavy crashes in Australia and Japan, and a first-lap DNF in Miami — pressure on the 22-year-old has intensified.

Jack Doohan is under pressure to keep his seat.

The situation took a turn over the Miami Grand Prix weekend, where Doohan lashed out following an “unacceptable” team error in Sprint Qualifying before tangling with Racing Bull’s Liam Lawson on Lap 1 of the Grand Prix itself. Sky Sports reported that Doohan appeared visibly emotional in the paddock post-race, consoled by his father, MotoGP legend Mick Doohan — a scene that may have followed the moment he was informed of Alpine’s looming decision.

While Alpine has remained tight-lipped, refusing to comment officially, multiple credible outlets — including Sky Sports, PlanetF1, and BBC — report that Colapinto is being seriously considered for a race seat from the upcoming Imola Grand Prix onwards (May 16–18). Team principal Oliver Oakes declined to conduct Alpine’s usual media rounds in Miami, further fuelling speculation, though he did acknowledge last Friday that Doohan remains the driver "as it is today" — a statement many have interpreted as noncommittal.

Franco Colapinto, Alpine’s reserve driver under contract until 2029, is no stranger to F1 competition. He made an impactful debut with Williams in 2024, scoring five points in nine appearances and showing flashes of brilliance before suffering a dip in form. Since then, his commercial backing, particularly from Argentine oil giant YPF, and his strong qualifying pace have made him a prime candidate for a full-time return.

Colapinto raced part of the 2024 season with Williams.

Adding further intrigue, the CEO of YPF recently hinted in a television interview that Colapinto would be back on the grid at Imola — a “slip” that Alpine downplayed, but one that fits the current narrative. The recent appointment of controversial figure Flavio Briatore as Alpine executive advisor, replacing Oliver Oakes in key decision-making duties, has only added fuel to the fire. Briatore, who also manages Doohan, appears willing to push for Colapinto if it boosts Alpine’s competitiveness and visibility — especially in South American markets.

Doohan’s contract is understood to have guaranteed him only the opening six rounds of 2025, with performance-based evaluation determining whether he'd retain the seat. Many believed that assessment period had quietly been extended through the summer break, but his crash-heavy campaign and lack of points have reportedly sealed his fate.

As of today, Pierre Gasly remains the only Alpine driver to have scored in 2025 — with a seventh-place finish in Bahrain and a solitary Sprint point in Miami. With Alpine languishing in the lower midfield, the team appears desperate to inject new energy into the line-up before the European triple-header begins.

Should Doohan indeed be replaced, it wouldn’t be a permanent goodbye. Sources close to the team suggest the Australian may resume his role as reserve driver, alongside Paul Aron, continuing his development while Alpine reassesses its future line-up.

Doohan answers media questions at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix.

In a social media post that captured the mood, 1996 World Champion Damon Hill reshared the BBC’s coverage with a jab at F1 contract politics, stating, “Looks like some drivers need better contracts!” 

Hill himself experienced an awkward departure from Williams despite clinching a world title, and his comments reflect a broader truth: in Formula 1, talent alone is never enough — timing, politics, and commercial pressures all play a role.

For now, Doohan's fate hangs in the balance. An announcement is expected in the days leading up to Imola. Whether Alpine opts for change or gives its young Australian one last shot, the decision will speak volumes about the team’s direction — and just how cutthroat the modern F1 grid has become.

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