Doohan replaced by Colapinto in the racing role
(Paris-News Flash) Argentine Racing Star Franco Colapinto Set to Replace Struggling Jack Doohan at Alpine F1 Team
Get ready for a shake-up at the Alpine F1 team! According to reports from The Race and L'Équipe on Monday, 21-year-old Franco Colapinto is set to join forces with French driver Pierre Gasly as a full-time driver starting from the Italian Grand Prix in Imola on May 17-18.
This news marks the end of the road for Jack Doohan, a member of Alpine's young driver program since 2022, who has been underperforming this season. The son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan has failed to score any points in his last six races and even had to retire at the Miami Grand Prix.
Colapinto, one of Alpine's reserve drivers, brings an impressive resume to the table. Prior to joining Alpine, he made his Formula 1 debut in 2024 as a stand-in for Williams, where he showcased his adaptability under pressure, notably reaching Q3 and scoring points in Baku during his second race.
Colapinto's promotion comes as no surprise, following internal discussions at Alpine about replacing Doohan, who struggled with incidents and inconsistent results. In fact, Alpine had shown long-term interest in Colapinto since late 2024, even before Doohan made his debut.
With Colapinto's prior F1 experience, including points finishes in Baku and Austin, he's gearing up to be a breath of fresh air for Alpine's 2025 campaign. Despite waiting for official confirmation of his race debut, Colapinto's promising performances and proven ability to deliver results in challenging conditions make him a strong contender to steer the team through the tough seasons ahead. Stay tuned for more updates!
Jack Doohan's race in Imola may mark his retirement from Alpine F1, as Franco Colapinto, a reserve driver with points finishes in Baku and Austin, is set to join Pierre Gasly as a full-time driver. Colapinto's impressive resume and adaptability under pressure make him an exciting addition to the team, following internal discussions about replacing Doohan.
