Alpine appear set to shake up their driver line-up, with Jack Doohan on the verge of being replaced by Franco Colapinto after just six rounds into the 2025 Formula 1 season. Although the team is remaining tight-lipped, sources indicate that the change could be rubber-stamped before the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola (16–18 May).
Doohan’s departure has been quietly looming ever since Colapinto joined Alpine from Williams over the winter break. Despite a few flashes of promise — notably outpacing Pierre Gasly in Miami qualifying and showing speed during the sprint weekend in China — the Australian’s rookie campaign has been riddled with inconsistency. Costly errors, including a dramatic wet-weather crash in Melbourne and a DRS blunder at Suzuka, have undercut his case for retention.
His retirement in Miami following contact with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson only added to the growing sense of instability around his position.
In contrast, Colapinto arrives with momentum and a financial boost. His rise through the F1 ranks has been fuelled not only by speed but also backing from Latin American sponsors — a factor that has reportedly smoothed the path to a mid-season promotion. While his nine-race stint at Williams last year included point-scoring finishes in Azerbaijan and the US, the Argentine’s tenure wasn’t without blemish, including a trio of crashes that raised eyebrows in Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, and Baku.
Nonetheless, Alpine saw enough potential to swoop for Colapinto during the off-season, and ever since, speculation has simmered that he was destined to take Doohan’s place. With internal pressure mounting and a need to recalibrate its long-term strategy, the team now seems ready to make that swap official.
While Doohan’s exit from the race seat looks imminent, he’s not expected to be cast aside entirely. Alpine are understood to be keen to retain him within their structure — perhaps in a development or reserve capacity — allowing the 21-year-old to regroup and stay in the frame for future opportunities.
As Imola approaches, Alpine’s bold mid-season gamble signals more than just a driver change — it’s a statement of intent about the team’s future direction. Will Colapinto seize the moment, or will this roll of the dice add more turbulence to Alpine’s unpredictable campaign?
