Formula 1 team confirm stunning driver axe and name replacement

Formula 1

Formula 1 team confirm stunning driver axe and name replacement

Jack Doohan has been axed by Alpine F1 team

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Wednesday 7 May 2025 13:00

A Formula 1 team have announced a massive driver swap, promoting one of the sport's most exciting stars.

Franco Colapinto will drive for Alpine for the foreseeable future, replacing rookie Jack Doohan after just seven races of his F1 career.

Doohan is one of four drivers without a point to his name this year – alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto.

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Doohan’s Alpine team-mate, Pierre Gasly, has meanwhile accrued seven points in six races, with the decision now being made to roll the dice on Colapinto instead.

An official team statement read: "As part of an on-going assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Jack Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice Reserve Driver for this period of time."

Colapinto Alpine F1 promotion confirmed for Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

The news of the immediate driver swap at Alpine comes less than 12 hours after the shock resignation of their F1 team principal Oliver Oakes.

The Enstone-based outfit announced on Tuesday, May 6, that Oakes would be leaving his role with immediate effect, with executive advisor Flavio Briatore remaining in his role with the team whilst absorbing Oakes' duties as well.

In an official team statement, Briatore said: "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.

"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, 21, impressed during his brief stint with Williams last season – where he also stepped in midway through the year to replace Logan Sargeant.

The Argentine returns to the grid, eager to showcase his talents in his bid to cement a full-time race seat in F1.

Following the news from Alpine, Colapinto said: "Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races. 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 programme, 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."

Colapinto will have just over a week to prepare for Imola as all eyes will be on Alpine at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix next weekend to see if their gamble will pay off.

The 21-year-old has been confirmed to race with the number 43 on the A525 alongside Gasly in Imola, followed by the Monaco Grand Prix, Spanish Grand Prix, Canadian Grand Prix and Austrian Grand Prix, with executive advisor Flavio Briatore set to decide his fate for the remainder of the season.

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Fernando Alonso Alpine Pierre Gasly British Grand Prix Franco Colapinto Jack Doohan