Breaking:Alpine Reportedly Set to Replace Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto Following Disappointing Start to 2025 Season

Formula 1’s Alpine team is reportedly on the verge of making a significant change to their driver lineup, with multiple sources suggesting that Jack Doohan is set to lose his race seat as early as the next Grand Prix in Imola. The Australian rookie, who was confirmed as Alpine’s second full-time driver for the 2025 season following his debut at the end of 2024, has struggled to make an impression in the opening races.

Doohan, still finding his footing in Formula 1, has yet to score a single point this season and has already suffered two DNFs. His most recent race at the Miami Grand Prix ended abruptly on the first lap after a collision with Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls car, which left Doohan with a major puncture and forced his retirement.

While Doohan did manage to outqualify teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time in Miami — securing 14th on the grid — his lack of race consistency and results has raised concerns within the team. Despite his potential, Alpine’s leadership appears to be losing patience as the team languishes in ninth place in the Constructors’ Championship after the first quarter of the season. Last year, Alpine finished sixth overall, thanks to a strong second-half performance.

This underwhelming start has reportedly prompted Alpine to consider a driver change in hopes of salvaging their 2025 campaign. The man tipped to replace Doohan is 2024 breakout star Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver was signed by Alpine in the off-season as a reserve, with a long-term deal hinting at plans to promote him to a full-time race seat.

Colapinto’s performances in the lower categories have impressed Alpine’s management, and it appears they now believe he could deliver better results than Doohan. Reports suggest the team could finalize the switch before the upcoming Imola Grand Prix in two weeks — a move that would mark Colapinto’s official Formula 1 debut.

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore had previously issued a warning to both Gasly and Doohan at the start of the year, stating that Colapinto’s presence was intended as pressure to perform. With Doohan underperforming and Gasly scoring the team’s few points so far, it seems the team is ready to act on Briatore’s warning.

Replacing Doohan with Colapinto may also be seen as part of a broader strategy to replicate the team’s 2024 mid-season revival. After a slow start last year, Alpine managed to regroup and climb the standings, and there’s a belief within the team that Colapinto could help initiate a similar turnaround.

Although no official confirmation has been made by Alpine, the F1 paddock is abuzz with speculation, and many believe that the decision has already been made behind closed doors. If true, Doohan’s stint in Formula 1 could come to an abrupt halt, while Colapinto would be thrust into one of the sport’s most challenging yet promising seats.