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F1 bosses ‘helping team change driver line-up’ with star on thin ice already

Juan Pablo Montoya, a former Formula 1 driver, has weighed in on the ongoing speculation surrounding Alpine’s driver lineup, particularly regarding Jack Doohan’s future with the team. Montoya has suggested that senior figures within Formula 1 may be influencing Alpine’s decision to replace Doohan with Franco Colapinto, a rising star in the motorsport world.

Jack Doohan, 22, was introduced as part of Alpine’s 2025 driver lineup last August, and he was also called up to replace Esteban Ocon for the final race of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi after Ocon’s switch to Haas. Despite having just a single Grand Prix appearance under his belt, rumors have already surfaced that Doohan could be dropped from Alpine’s plans. Reports indicate that Doohan’s current contract is only valid for the first six races of the upcoming season, with the team set to review his performance before making a decision on whether to keep him for the remainder of the year or seek a new direction.

The situation became even more intriguing in January when Alpine confirmed the signing of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver. The 21-year-old Argentine impressed many with his performances in nine races for Williams last season, and he was considered unfortunate not to secure a full-time seat in F1 for 2025. Colapinto’s arrival at Alpine has raised questions about Doohan’s future, as many believe the team is already leaning towards replacing him. Montoya, in a conversation with AS Colombia, expressed his belief that the decision to move on from Doohan has likely already been made. He pointed out that Formula 1 recognizes the importance of Colapinto’s popularity and that there are forces behind the scenes working to facilitate this transition. Montoya suggested that while many talented drivers in F2 and F3 are vying for their chance in F1, Colapinto appears to be the one with the most promising prospects at Alpine, despite his current position within the Williams academy.

Montoya emphasized that Colapinto’s potential, combined with his growing popularity, is driving the push for his promotion within F1. The Colombian believes that while Doohan is still under contract, the momentum is already building for a switch. He also remarked on the broader landscape of F1’s development programs, where drivers from Alpine’s academy, as well as from other teams like Williams, are being evaluated for top-tier seats. Montoya seemed to suggest that Colapinto’s entry into Alpine’s fold could be a sign of a shift in the team’s strategy, especially considering how competitive the F1 driver pool has become in recent years.

As the 2025 season approaches, Doohan faces a critical opportunity to prove his worth during the pre-season testing in Bahrain later this month. With just two weeks remaining before the first race of the season in Australia, the pressure is mounting for him to deliver strong performances and secure his place in Alpine’s long-term plans. However, Montoya’s comments suggest that the writing might already be on the wall for Doohan, with Colapinto being viewed as a potential replacement in the near

future.