Alpine F1 Team Makes Controversial Driver Change Ahead of Emilia-Romagna GP
Imola, Italy – Alpine F1 team has announced a significant driver shift ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, promoting reserve driver Franco Colapinto to a race seat, replacing Jack Doohan for at least the next five rounds. This decision follows Doohan’s disappointing performance, where he failed to score points in the first six races of the 2025 season.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s team leader, initially stated, “Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre [Gasly] for the next five races.” However, he later contradicted this timeline, emphasizing that Colapinto’s future races would not be limited: “Franco will race as much as needed. There’s no set limit on his races. He needs to be fast, not crash, and score points.”
This shift comes in the wake of Oliver Oakes’ resignation as team principal, a move Briatore attributed to personal reasons, dismissing rumors of conflict. “This is a united team… we have a great relationship,” he noted.
Despite his leadership role, Briatore does not hold an official title within the team’s hierarchy and clarified that he is assessing the structure moving forward: “The organisational chart has shifted a bit, but everything else stays the same.”
As the season progresses, Colapinto’s performance will be closely monitored, with Briatore maintaining that success in scoring points will dictate his ongoing tenure in the race seat.
Key Points:
- Driver Change: Franco Colapinto replaces Jack Doohan for the Emilia-Romagna GP and potentially beyond.
- Team Leadership: Flavio Briatore has taken charge following Oliver Oakes’ resignation.
- Performance Expectations: Colapinto is tasked to demonstrate speed, avoid crashes, and score points to secure his seat long-term.
This announcement sets the stage for the upcoming race, with high expectations for Colapinto as he attempts to establish himself within the competitive landscape of Formula 1.
