Read more
With Colapinto taking over from Doohan, Flavio Briatore steps-in as team principal.
Franco Colapinto will officially replace Jack Doohan for the next five Grand Prix as part of the latest massive shake-up at Alpine. Photo by Paddocker / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
Franco Colapinto will drive for Alpine for the next five Formula One races in place of Jack Doohan, the French team announced on Wednesday.
The move comes after only six rounds of the 2025 season and hours after the resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes.
Five race contract
The decision to promote Colapinto comes with Alpine ninth of the 10 teams in the constructors’ world championship,
Lead driver Pierre Gasly has picked up all the team’s seven points, with Doohan yet to score in his rookie season.
ALSO READ: Early F1 debut for Doohan in Abu Dhabi as Ocon leaves Alpine
Doohan’s seat has been at risk from Colapinto ever since Alpine signed the Argentine from Williams over the winter.
“Franco Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, ahead of a new evaluation before the British Grand Prix in July,” a team statement said.
“Jack Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice reserve driver for this period of time.
Oakes out, Briatore returns
Not long before the latest shake-up to the Enstone-based team, team principal Oliver Oakes announced his resigned after less than a year in the job.
“The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect,” Alpine said in a statement.
The Briton’s surprise exit comes only nine months since his appointment as successor to Frenchman Bruno Famin.
“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.
Oakes’ unexpected departure is the latest chapter in a rocky time for the former Renault team.
He told AFP last November he wanted Alpine to shrug off their problems and be at “the front” of the midfield this season.
He said there were “no silver bullet”.
“I think we ultimately have to produce a better car,” the former racing driver conceded.
Oakes succeeded Famin in 2024 a month after the appointment of one of F1’s most controversial figures, former Benneton and Renault boss, Briatore.
NOW READ: Doohan promoted to Alpine F1 seat in 2025 alongside Gasly
Download our app
