Alpine Considers Replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto

Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes hints at evaluating Jack Doohan's future amid rumors of Franco Colapinto potentially replacing him before the Imola Grand Prix.

Australian Formula One driver Jack Doohan's future with Alpine appears uncertain, with speculation suggesting he might be replaced before the upcoming race at Imola. The 22-year-old has struggled to score points in the current and previous seasons.

Following another retirement at the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine is reportedly evaluating Doohan's position, according to The (link unavailable) This development raises questions about Doohan's prospects with the Renault-owned team.

The driver's future has been uncertain for months, with speculation intensifying after Alpine signed Argentine driver Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver. Colapinto, who previously raced for Williams, has impressed with his performances.

Colapinto scored five points in nine races for Williams last year, with a best finish of eighth in Azerbaijan. Alpine's executive advisor Flavio Briatore, a seasoned team boss, is reportedly keen on promoting Colapinto to a race seat, further fueling speculation about the driver's future.

Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes canceled his regular media session after Sunday's race, where Jack Doohan was involved in a collision with Liam Lawson on the opening lap, forcing Doohan's retirement.

When asked about Doohan's lineup for the upcoming Imola race on Friday, Oakes stated, “As it is today, Jack is our driver along with Pierre (Gasly). We always evaluate, but yeah. Today, that is the case.” This comment leaves room for speculation about Doohan's future with the team.

Alpine are considering dropping Jack Doohan from the next Formula 1 race in Imola, with Franco Colapinto in line for a return to the grid 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0YvXnO0B4R

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 5, 2025

Speculation about Jack Doohan's future with Alpine has intensified due to his lack of points and struggles to finish higher than 14th. The rumors gained momentum after one of Franco Colapinto's Argentine sponsors suggested a potential lineup change for Imola.

When asked about the sponsor's comments, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes said, “I'm sure there's a lot of people in Argentina who'd like him in the car this Sunday.” This remark hints at the interest in Colapinto, further fueling speculation about Doohan's seat.

Doohan's Response to Speculation

Regarding the speculation about his seat, Doohan said, “We've been pretty open as a team that that's just noise. Jack needs to continue doing a good job. But it's natural that there's always speculation there.” He remains focused on his performance.

Doohan emphasized his commitment to the upcoming races, stating, “We have the week ahead to reset and work to prepare for the upcoming triple-header as we head into the start of the European season.” This shows his determination to push forward despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.