Briatore explains Alpine's decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto
On the back of Alpine's decision to axe Jack Doohan after just six races into the season, Alpine's Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has opened up on the team's decision, claiming that the Enstone-based squad wants to assess its driver line-up ahead of the 2026 F1 season.
Alpine confirmed last August that Doohan would compete in 2025, replacing Esteban Ocon. The Australian became the first Alpine Academy driver to be promoted to Formula One.
As Ocon departed Alpine ahead of the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which meant that Doohan made his F1 debut last year at the Yas Marina Circuit. He qualified twentieth on debut, before finishing fifteenth in the race.
Partnering Pierre Gasly for 2025, Doohan's debut full-time campaign in Formula One has endured a tough start. While he showed flashes of great speed, he suffered several crashes across the first six race weekends.
Following last Sunday's Miami Grand Prix, Alpine have decided to drop Doohan for the next five Formula 1 races, with Franco Colapinto returning to the grid as his replacement.
The Enstone-based outfit made the decision to axe Doohan after just six races of the 2025 F1 season. The Australian has not scored any points so far in 2025, having recorded his best result with a 13th-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Explaining the decision, Alpine's Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has noted that the close competition and the Enstone-based squad's improved form means that both drivers need to maximize the car's potential.
“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.
"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."
With the 2026 F1 season set to bring an all-new technical regulations, Briatore added that Alpine is eager to commit itself to the best driver line-up for the new era of Formula One.
"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.”
