Franco Colapinto is getting another chance on the Formula 1 grid.
After months of speculation, Alpine announced on Wednesday that the reserve driver indeed would be getting a chance, as he will replace rookie Jack Doohan at Imola next week during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Ever since the team signed Colapinto as a reserve driver ahead of the 2025 season, there was growing speculation that the 2024 Williams super-sub would get a chance to drive for Alpine at some point.
That speculation put Doohan under enormous pressure to deliver immediate results.
It now seems that his time has run out.
The move comes amid another chaotic period at the Enstone-based team, marked by Team Principal Oliver Oakes’ sudden resignation following the Miami Grand Prix. Oakes was scheduled to speak with the media Sunday evening following the race, but due to a “change in travel plans,” his session no longer took place.
Instead, word came from the team on Tuesday that he had tendered his resignation, which was accepted with “immediate effect.” Alpine further stated that “Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes.”
The team also indicated that there would be no further comment on the matter.
Now Alpine is commenting, announcing that Colapinto will slide into the seat for the next five races, as the team is “in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up,” according to Briatore.
“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,” said Briatore in a statement. “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.”
Colapinto thanked the team for the opportunity, and indicated he was looking forward to the upcoming triple-header.
“Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races,” said Colapinto. “I will work hard with the team to prepare for the next race in Imola and the upcoming triple-header, which will no doubt be intense and a big challenge for everyone. I have stayed sharp, and I am as ready as possible with the team’s race support testing program, as well as on the simulator at Enstone. I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results alongside Pierre.”
As for Doohan he remained the consummate professional, indicating that he would give his “maximum efforts” to help the team.
“I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula One driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream. Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing,” said Doohan. “That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team to achieve and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those. 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.”
But now, the seat that was his belongs to Colapinto.
How long he holds on to that spot is the next big question facing Alpine.