Colapinto Takes Over Doohan’s Seat at Alpine for Five Races

IMOLA, Italy — Alpine has announced that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five races, beginning with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix this weekend. The decision follows a challenging start to the season for Doohan, who has struggled to maintain pace alongside teammate Pierre Gasly.

Colapinto, who previously served as a reserve driver for Alpine after a promising stint with Williams, is set to take over following the resignation of Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes. Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore will assume Oakes’ responsibilities.

Doohan, 22, made his full-time debut this year after a brief run in 2024. He faced multiple challenges, including a retirement due to a collision in Miami last week. “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,” Briatore said. “We see the need to rotate our line-up.”

Colapinto rose to prominence with impressive performances at Williams, scoring points on multiple occasions. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I will work hard with the team to prepare for the next race in Imola.”

Doohan also commented on the change, emphasizing his pride in becoming a Formula 1 driver. “This latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because I want to be racing. That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment,” he said.

The rotation of drivers will be evaluated before the British Grand Prix in July. Briatore highlighted the importance of assessing the team’s performance and driver dynamics as they look ahead to the 2026 season.