Franco Colapinto Back On The Grid! Alpine Replaces Jack Doohan After Poor Start
Alpine have now announced that Doohan’s seat will be filled by Colapinto for the next five rounds, while the Aussie is relegated to being the first-choice reserve driver.
Alpine has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five race weekends, starting from the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, with the team deciding to “rotate" the race seat alongside Pierre Gasly.
Having previously served as a reserve driver for the team, it was announced last summer that Doohan was set to be promoted to the main race squad for 2025.
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The 22-year-old was then given an earlier-than-expected debut at the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, following the departure of Haas-bound Esteban Ocon.
After starting his first full-time campaign this year, Doohan has struggled to match teammate Gasly, and his troubles continued last time out in Miami, where he retired from the race following a Lap 1 collision with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson.
Alpine have now announced that Doohan’s seat will be filled by Colapinto for the next five rounds, with the Argentinian having been signed to the outfit as one of their roster of reserve drivers following his impressive nine-race run as a substitute for Williams in 2024.
“As part of an ongoing assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship," said an Alpine statement.
“Jack Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice Reserve Driver for this period of time."
French driver Pierre Gasly has picked up all the Enstone-based team’s seven points, with Australian Jack Doohan failing to score anything in his rookie season.
The news comes following the confirmation on Tuesday evening that Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes had resigned with immediate effect.
Controversial figure and Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore was then appointed the new team principal, in charge of covering the duties previously performed by the Briton.
“The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect," Alpine said in a statement.
“As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as executive advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes," the team statement added.
The 37-year-old Briton’s surprise exit comes only nine months after he was appointed successor to Frenchman Bruno Famin.
Oakes left his role with Alpine ninth of the 10 teams in the constructors’ world championship after six races.
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