In a dramatic shake-up ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Alpine has officially announced that Argentine reserve driver Franco Colapinto will replace Australian rookie Jack Doohan in the team’s Formula 1 lineup, effective immediately. The decision, confirmed on May 7, 2025, follows weeks of speculation and mounting pressure on Doohan, who has struggled to deliver consistent results in his debut season.
The 22-year-old Doohan, son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, made his F1 race debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, stepping in for Esteban Ocon. Despite high hopes and years in Alpine’s driver academy, Doohan’s 2025 season has been marred by incidents, including a first-lap retirement in Miami after a collision with Liam Lawson and a best finish of 13th in China. With no points scored in six races and teammate Pierre Gasly outperforming him, Alpine’s management has opted for a change.
Colapinto, 21, brings a wave of excitement to the Enstone-based squad. The Argentine driver impressed during a nine-race stint with Williams in 2024, replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season and scoring points in his debut. Signed by Alpine as a reserve driver in January 2025 under the guidance of executive advisor Flavio Briatore, Colapinto’s multi-year deal and significant financial backing from sponsors like Argentina’s YPF have fueled speculation about his promotion. Briatore, who previously led the team to championships as Benetton and Renault, praised Colapinto as “among the best young talents in motorsport” upon his signing.
The switch comes amid broader turmoil at Alpine, with team principal Oliver Oakes resigning abruptly after less than a year in the role. Oakes, who joined in July 2024, had publicly backed Doohan, but his departure—announced less than 48 hours after the Miami Grand Prix—coincided with reports of Colapinto’s imminent promotion. Briatore has stepped in as interim principal, signaling a shift in the team’s direction as they languish ninth in the constructors’ standings.
Colapinto’s opportunity follows a planned test in an older Alpine car at Zandvoort, part of the team’s testing program. While Alpine initially dismissed rumors of an immediate driver change, comments from YPF’s CEO, Horacio Marin, caught off-camera in Miami, hinted at Colapinto’s debut in Imola. The team’s decision reflects both Doohan’s underwhelming performances and the commercial appeal of Colapinto, whose popularity in Argentina could boost Alpine’s profile in a growing market.
Doohan’s future with Alpine remains uncertain, though reports suggest he may stay on in a reserve or development role. The young Australian, who outqualified Gasly for the first time in Miami, showed flashes of potential but struggled with consistency, drawing criticism for costly crashes. Former F1 champion Damon Hill weighed in, suggesting that Doohan’s precarious position underscores the need for better driver contracts to provide stability for young talents.
As Alpine prepares for the European leg of the season, all eyes will be on Colapinto to see if he can replicate his Williams form and lift the team’s fortunes. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, set for May 18, 2025, at Imola, could mark a turning point for both the driver and the team as they navigate a challenging season.