Alpine F1 Team has officially announced that Franco Colapinto replaces Jack Doohan for the next five Formula 1 races beginning with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
This decision comes at a pivotal moment for the Enstone-based squad which has faced a challenging start to the season and is seeking a turnaround in performance and results.
Young Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto replaces Jack Doohan as part of Alpine F1 Team’s ongoing assessment of its driver line-up.
The team has struggled in the opening rounds of the season – currently ranking ninth in the 2025 constructors championship – grappling with both reliability and performance issues.
Doohan who was promoted to a full-time race seat after serving as Alpine’s reserve driver has shown flashes of speed but has also been involved in several high-profile incidents including a heavy crash during practice at Suzuka and an opening lap collision with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson in Miami.
These setbacks combined with a lack of points finishes have prompted the team’s management to seek a fresh approach.
The official team statement reads: “As part of an on-going assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the 2025 F1 World Championship.
“BWT Alpine F1 Team therefore announces that Franco Colapinto replaces Jack Doohan and will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, ahead of a new evaluation before the British Grand Prix in July.
“Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice Reserve Driver for this period of time.”
Colapinto’s arrival at Alpine is not without precedent. He impressed during his stint as a substitute driver for Williams in the second half of the 2024 season where he managed to score points in Azerbaijan and Austin.
The 21-year-old’s performances caught the attention of Alpine’s leadership leading to his signing as a reserve driver over the winter.
Colapinto’s blend of raw pace and adaptability, demonstrated during his nine-race run with Williams has positioned him as one of the most promising young talents in Formula 1.
“I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races,” said Colapinto. “I will work hard with the team to prepare for the next race in Imola and the upcoming triple-header which will no doubt be intense and a big challenge for everyone.
“I have stayed sharp and I am as ready as possible with the team’s race support testing programme as well as on the simulator at Enstone. I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results alongside Pierre.”
MORE FORMULA 1:
Alpine F1 Team principal Oliver Oakes resigns as Flavio Briatore takes over
Audi F1 Project CEO Adam Baker leaves in latest leadership changes
The Alpine F1 team under the guidance of executive adviser Flavio Briatore has made it clear that this driver change is part of a broader strategy to maximize the team’s competitiveness in a season where the midfield battle is exceptionally close.
In a statement, Briatore emphasized the importance of seizing every opportunity noting that the team’s improved car and the tightly matched field necessitate bold decisions.
“Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races,“ the 75-year old said.
“With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, which the team has drastically improved in the past 12 months, we are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up.
“We also know the 2026 season will be an important one for the team and having a complete and fair assessment of the drivers this season is the right thing to do in order to maximise our ambitions next year.
“We continue to support Jack at the team, as he has acted in a very professional manner in his role as a race driver so far this season. The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time period we will assess our options.”
