Alpine Shakes Up Driver Line-Up: Colapinto Replaces Doohan for Five Races

In a surprising turn of events, BWT Alpine Formula One Team has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will be taking over Jack Doohan for the remaining five races of the 2025 season beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Imola between May 16-18. The choice, called “rotation” of the race seat along with Pierre Gasly, comes after difficult beginnings of rookie Doohan and after the resignation of Team’s Principal Oliver Oakes May 6th.

Doohan, a 22-year-old Australian, kicked off his first full season with Alpine after being their reserve driver. However, he struggled to keep up with teammate Pierre Gasly and hasn’t scored any points in his seven races so far. A couple of mishaps, like a first-lap crash with Liam Lawson in Miami and a big wreck during practice in Suzuka, didn’t help his case. Even though he showed some promise, like outpacing Gasly in Miami qualifying, Alpine decided to put him back in the reserve driver role for now.

Enter Franco Colapinto, a 21-year-old from Argentina who caught everyone’s attention at Williams last year. He stepped in mid-season in 2024 and grabbed points in Azerbaijan and Austin, proving he’s got what it takes. Colapinto, who joined Alpine as a reserve in January, brings not only talent but also strong support from Latin American sponsors and a loyal fanbase, which likely played a part in this decision.

Flavio Briatore, who’s stepping in after Oakes’ exit, said the team wants to test their options for the 2026 season. “With a closely matched field and a drastically improved car, we see the need to rotate our line-up,” he explained. Colapinto is thrilled about the chance, saying, “I’m so grateful and ready to give it my all.”

Alpine plans to review their driver line-up again before the British Grand Prix in July, so more changes could be coming. Doohan, staying positive, said, “I’ll keep working hard and chasing my goals.”