Alpine F1 Team Announces Driver Change Ahead of Emilia Romagna GP
IMOLA, Italy — The Alpine Formula 1 team has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five races of the 2025 season, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. This decision follows a series of underwhelming performances from Doohan, who was unable to maintain consistency after six challenging race weekends.
While Doohan showcased potential by outqualifying team-mate Pierre Gasly at the Miami Grand Prix, an early incident at Turn 1, involving Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, curtailed his race, contributing to his struggles throughout the season.
The team’s decision to replace Doohan, despite Gasly’s seventh-place finish in Bahrain indicating a competitive car, reflects a pressing need to enhance performance within a highly competitive midfield. Colapinto, who comes with strong backing from Argentina, will drive alongside Gasly as the team seeks to secure more consistent points finishes.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, stated, “In a closely matched field this year, we see the need to rotate our lineup to optimize our ambitions for the 2026 season. Jack has shown professionalism during his tenure, but the upcoming races present an opportunity for a fresh approach.”
Colapinto expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I will work hard to prepare for Imola and the upcoming triple-header. I’ve stayed sharp through simulation work and team support, and I aim to deliver the best possible results.”
This marks the second in-season driver change in 2025, following the swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls. The performance of Colapinto during his previous stint with Williams, where he scored points in Baku and Austin, has made an impression, although his earlier crashes raised concerns among rival teams.
Colapinto’s future will be reassessed after the Austrian Grand Prix, with Doohan returning to the role of reserve driver. The upcoming five-race stretch will be crucial for Alpine as they aim to solidify their position in the championship standings.
