Alpine Considers Driver Change for Next F1 Race
Sources close to the team have revealed to Alofoke Deportes that Alpine is evaluating the possibility of replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto for the next Formula 1 race in Imola.
Doohan’s position in F1 has been under constant scrutiny since Alpine incorporated Colapinto, a 21-year-old Argentinian driver, as a reserve driver in January.
Doohan, son of motorcycling legend Mick Doohan, has not managed to stand out in the six races of his debut season.
Although he has shown flashes of speed in qualifying, the incidents in Australia and Japan generated concern within the team. The first-corner crash with Liam Lawson during the Miami Grand Prix was especially detrimental to his aspirations in F1.
According to our sources, the plan to put Colapinto in the car for Imola gained momentum over the weekend in Miami, although negotiations appear to have been underway for some time.
Earlier this week, Horacio Marín, CEO of YPF, the Argentine energy company that supports Colapinto, was caught off-mic during an interview, mentioning that the driver would be in the car for the race in Italy.
This change would allow Colapinto to compete for three consecutive weekends, with the races in Imola, Monaco and Spain.
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, and Alpine is expected to use the break week between Miami and Imola to make a decision.
Jack Doohan has had a complicated start to his rookie season.
Colapinto has relevant experience in each circuit thanks to his career in Formula 2.
Colapinto became a star in his country after his unexpected incorporation into Williams last summer as a replacement for Logan Sargeant.
He impressed in his debut, the Italian Grand Prix, and then scored points in Baku.
Colapinto joined Alpine via a loan agreement earlier this year. Williams boss James Vowles hinted that the deal was signed because it would eventually lead to racing experience.
Alpine boss Ollie Oakes played down the change on Friday before the Miami race: “As of today, Jack is our driver alongside Pierre,” he said. “We’ve been pretty clear on that. We always evaluate, but yes, that’s the case today.”
He also added: “We’ve been pretty open as a team that that’s just noise. Jack needs to keep doing a good job. But it’s natural that there’s always speculation.”
Oakes canceled his Sunday evening briefing, with the official explanation being a change in travel plans.
This is not unusual for team principals after races with delays due to weather or red flags, but the Miami race ran as scheduled despite pre-race fears about rain and thunderstorms.
Alofoke Deportes understands that Doohan would remain on the team in some way in the event that the change with Colapinto occurs. Before obtaining the seat, Doohan had been a member of Alpine’s youth program for a long time.
