Jack Doohan dropped by Alpine and replaced by Franco Colapinto on five-race deal

Jack Doohan has been axed by Alpine after just six races, excluding Sprints, into his rookie season.

Former Williams driver Franco Colapinto, who signed for Alpine this season as their reserve driver, has been given five races with Alpine starting from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to prove his worth to the team.

BREAKING: Franco Colapinto to race at least the next five races for Alpine in place of Jack Doohan#F1 pic.twitter.com/HLarDPmYP8

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2025

Doohan will remain with Alpine as their reserve driver, after losing his seat due to failing to score a point during the opening six round of the 2025 season.

This makes the Aussie the second young driver to be replaced this year after Red Bull demoted Liam Lawson back down to their sister team after two races.

The 22-year-old’s future was in jeopardy before the season even started, after Alpine had signed Colapinto from Williams in January, which had started rumours that Doohan would soon be replaced by the Argentine.

You have to really feel for Jack Doohan.

Set up for failure before he’d even turned a lap of the steering wheel.

An unbelievable amount of pressure on him before the lights went out in Australia.

He’s had a tough rookie start but he didn’t deserve this

— Matt Gallagher (@MattP1Gallagher) May 7, 2025

Colapinto will be looking to really make a mark in these next five races, after Williams opted for race-winner Carlos Sainz over trusting their young prospect.

The 21-year-old has significant financial backing from sponsors in Argentina, which could have swayed Alpine’s decision to replace Doohan.

The former Williams driver will be under immense pressure as the team have described they are under an “on-going assessment” of their driver line-up and ‘rotation’ is needed.

This morning’s announcement follows the very recent resignation of Oliver Oakes as Alpine’s team principal, with Flavio Briatore taking over his duties.

Briatore said: “Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre Gasly for the next five races.”

Colapinto’s five-race deal will end just before the British Grand Prix, where there will be a “new evaluation.”