Argentinian F1 driver Franco Colapinto. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
- Colapinto handed five-race return
- Doohan dropped but stays in the team
- Briatore says Oakes' departure unrelated to the change
Argentine driver Franco Colapinto will replace Australian Jack Doohan at Alpine for at least five races starting at Imola in Italy next week, the Renault-owned Formula One team says.
Doohan, the 22-year-old son of motorcycle great Mick, had been flagged up even before the start of the season as likely to be replaced by Colapinto, who joined as reserve in January, after six races.
Alpine are ninth of 10 in the constructors' standings with only seven points and all scored by experienced French driver Pierre Gasly.
"We have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races," said executive advisor Flavio Briatore, who is now in charge after team principal Oliver Oakes resigned on Tuesday.
"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."
Colapinto competed nine times for Williams last year as replacement for American Logan Sargeant and scored five points, with a best finish of eighth in Azerbaijan.
The 21-year-old thanked the team for giving him another opportunity.
"I have stayed sharp, and I am as ready as possible...I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results alongside Pierre," he said.
Doohan said the decision was "a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing.
"For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals."
Racing Bulls New Zealand driver Liam Lawson and Alpine's Australian driver Jack Doohan. Photo: AFP
Oakes departure
Briatore, a controversial figure in Formula One for his involvement in the infamous 2009 "Crashgate" scandal, said on Instagram that Oakes' sudden departure was not related to the decision to drop Doohan.
"A lot has been said in the past 24 hours incorrectly associating the decision of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement, or that we shared different views," added the Italian.
"This is completely false and far from the truth.
"Me and Oli have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this team forward together...The reasons (for leaving) are not related to the team and are of a personal nature."
Briatore said he would be more and more involved with the team, working with the existing management, and posted a message of support from Oakes.
"Flavio has been like a father to me, nothing but supportive since I took the role, as well as giving me the opportunity," the message read. "Everyone is in place for 2026 and where this team deserves to be."
Briatore ran the Enstone-based team in the 1990s and 2000s when they won titles as Benetton and Renault and now finds himself their sixth boss in five years with success still a distant speck on the horizon.
Oakes was appointed last July to replace Bruno Famin, a Renault veteran who lasted a year in the job. Before him there was Otmar Szafnauer, Laurent Rossi and Cyril Abiteboul, who left in January 2021 and now runs the Hyundai rally team.
- Reuters
