Alpine Shakes Up Driver Line-Up: Colapinto Replaces Doohan for Five-Race Trial Amid Management Upheaval

In a dramatic series of developments, Alpine F1 has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five Formula 1 Grands Prix, starting at the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The news came just hours after the resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, further compounding a period of rapid change for the Enstone-based outfit.

Rotation Strategy or Performance Response?

Alpine’s official statement described the move as part of “an ongoing assessment” of its driver line-up, emphasizing a desire to evaluate options ahead of the 2026 rules reset. But it’s difficult to ignore that Doohan’s tenure has been marred by inconsistent results and costly mistakes.

Jack Doohan failed to score points in his seven races with Alpine in 2025.

Despite showing flashes of pace — including outqualifying teammate Pierre Gasly in Miami — Doohan leaves the race seat having failed to score points across seven races. Incidents such as a heavy crash in Japan and a first-lap collision in Miami have amplified scrutiny around his readiness for a full-time drive.

Colapinto, meanwhile, enters with a strong résumé from his nine-race run with Williams in 2024, where he scored points in Baku and Austin and displayed resilience despite a few high-profile crashes. The 21-year-old Argentine driver brings not only raw pace but also significant financial backing and a fervent national fanbase — elements that are hard for a midfield team like Alpine to ignore.

Colapinto has had experience behind the wheel of an F1 car before - for Williams in 2024.

“Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races,” said Colapinto. “I’ve stayed sharp and will give it my all to deliver the best results possible.”

“This is a tough one for me to take,” admitted Doohan, “but I’ll continue to work hard and support the team in every way I can.”

Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, who has assumed operational control of the team following Oakes’ resignation, framed the move as strategic:

“With the field so closely matched and a car that has improved significantly, now is the right time to evaluate both drivers under race conditions.”

Management Turmoil at Alpine

Colapinto’s promotion follows a turbulent period at Alpine, with Oliver Oakes' resignation being the latest in a long string of senior leadership exits. Since mid-2023, the team has seen the departure of multiple top executives including CEO Laurent Rossi, Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, and Technical Director Matt Harman, among others.

Oliver Oakes resigned from Alpine in the last 24 hours.

Briatore’s hands-on role now includes guiding Alpine through its driver evaluation process while preparing the team for the massive regulation shift coming in 2026 — a transition that could redefine the team’s competitive prospects.

What’s Next?

Colapinto is set to race in five consecutive events — Imola, Monaco, Spain, Canada, and Austria — all leading up to the team’s reassessment before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. He’s familiar with most of these circuits through his F2 background and previous F1 outings, making it a critical window to prove he deserves the seat long-term.

This effectively sets up a mid-season shootout between Colapinto and Doohan. While the Australian will remain Alpine’s first-choice reserve driver, the pressure is now squarely on Franco to deliver consistent results and show he can be a reliable point-scorer in a tight midfield battle.

 Bigger Picture: A Strategic Play for 2026?

This “rotation” decision may be less about 2025 and more about 2026, when sweeping new technical regulations arrive. Alpine — currently sitting 9th in the Constructors’ Championship — sees this as an inflection point to solidify its driver line-up with long-term ambitions in mind.

Whether Colapinto proves himself or Doohan fights his way back, Alpine is clearly not waiting to make bold calls — and the next five races could redefine careers.

---

 Want more insider F1 news and travel insights?

Subscribe to our newsletter for F1 news updates like these.