Colapinto Takes Over From Doohan At Alpine F1 Team Amid Performance Concerns

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Alpine has made a significant change to its Formula One lineup by replacing Jack Doohan with reserve driver Franco Colapinto. This decision comes just six races into Doohan's rookie season. Despite being the first Alpine Academy driver to step into F1, Doohan has not scored any points in his outings, prompting the team to make this switch.

Doohan's performance has been under scrutiny following his finishes of 13th, 15th, 14th, and 17th in recent races. He also failed to complete the season opener in Melbourne and the Miami Grand Prix. The team had anticipated a change since the Miami race, but the choice to give Colapinto five races before reassessing is unexpected.

Franco Colapinto will join Pierre Gasly for the next five races, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on May 18. This move follows Oliver Oakes' resignation as team principal after just ten months, with Flavio Briatore assuming his duties. Colapinto previously impressed while driving for Williams last season.

Briatore stated: "Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre [Gasly] for the next five races." This statement highlights Alpine's strategy to evaluate their drivers thoroughly this season.

The team's decision reflects their focus on preparing for an important 2026 season. With a competitive car that has seen significant improvements over the past year, Alpine aims to maximise its potential by assessing its drivers comprehensively during this season.

The close competition among teams this year makes it crucial for Alpine to rotate their lineup strategically. By doing so, they hope to gain insights that will help them achieve their goals in future seasons.

As Alpine looks ahead, they are committed to maintaining a strong driver lineup that aligns with their ambitions. The upcoming races will be critical in determining how well Colapinto adapts and performs alongside Gasly.