Doohan set to be axed ‘immediately’ in Alpine d… read more
Alpine are reportedly on the verge of making a significant mid-season change to their Formula 1 driver lineup, with Jack Doohan set to be replaced as early as the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The 21-year-old Australian has endured a difficult start to his first full season in Formula 1, having failed to score a single point across the first six races of the 2025 campaign. Despite flashes of promise, including outqualifying his more experienced teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time at the Miami Grand Prix, Doohan’s race in Florida ended in disappointment. He suffered a major puncture after contact with Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls car on the opening lap, resulting in his second retirement of the season. This latest incident appears to have been the final straw for Alpine’s management, who are under mounting pressure to turn around a faltering start to the year.
Alpine’s performance in 2025 has been a stark contrast to their late-season form in 2024, when a strong run of results saw them climb to sixth in the constructors’ standings. However, a quarter of the way through this season, the Enstone-based outfit languishes in ninth place, with just seven points to their name. Team executives, including returning advisor Flavio Briatore, have made it clear that results must improve quickly, and that both drivers were under scrutiny coming into the season. That warning now appears to be materializing, with reports from RacingNews365 indicating that the team is ready to promote reserve driver Franco Colapinto to a race seat with immediate effect.
Colapinto, one of the standout performers of the 2024 junior formula season, was signed by Alpine in the offseason and brought in as a long-term investment. His consistent performances and maturity behind the wheel during testing have reportedly impressed the team’s leadership, who now believe he may be ready to make the step up to Formula 1. The decision to elevate Colapinto could come before the seventh round of the season in Imola, giving the young Argentine his first taste of Grand Prix racing on one of the sport’s most historic circuits. The move, if confirmed, would make Colapinto the first Argentine driver to compete in F1 since Gastón Mazzacane in 2001.
The pressure on Doohan has been mounting ever since the start of the year, not only due to his on-track struggles but also due to the high expectations placed upon him as part of Alpine’s driver development program. While he has shown glimpses of speed, particularly in qualifying, his inability to convert that pace into race results has cost the team valuable points. His inconsistency, coupled with Gasly’s relatively subdued start, has left Alpine without a reliable point scorer in a highly competitive midfield. With the team’s form regressing and rivals such as Haas and Racing Bulls showing signs of progress, Alpine are said to be looking for a spark to ignite their season—something they now believe Colapinto can provide.
Behind the scenes, the potential switch is believed to be supported by several influential figures within Alpine, including Briatore, who has historically favored bold decisions and young talent. Colapinto’s inclusion in the team’s reserve lineup was seen at the time as a strategic move, ensuring they had a viable replacement option should either driver underperform. Now, with Doohan struggling and the team slipping in the standings, the decision to promote Colapinto appears to align with both performance goals and long-term strategy. GPFans have reportedly contacted Alpine for official confirmation, but no public statement has been made at the time of writing.
If Colapinto is indeed promoted, it would mark one of the earliest driver changes in a Formula 1 season in recent years, reflecting the increasing impatience among teams desperate to capitalize on every possible opportunity in an ultra-competitive field. It would also send a strong message to the paddock that Alpine are willing to make tough calls in pursuit of success, regardless of a driver’s pedigree or development history. As for Doohan, his immediate future in Formula 1 remains uncertain. While he could potentially remain involved with the team in a reserve or testing role, the setback will undoubtedly be a major blow to his career ambitions. With two weeks remaining until the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Alpine to see whether they follow through with the rumored change, potentially setting the stage for a dramatic shake-up in the team’s 2025 campaign.
