Multiple sources reported this week that Jack Doohan has raced his last race for the Alpine team. Test and reserve driver Franco Colapinto is expected to replace him from the upcoming race weekend in Imola. To prepare the Argentine for his debut with the French racing stable, he will test in utmost secrecy at the Zandvoort circuit on Wednesday. Team boss Oliver Oakes, a big supporter of Doohan, had already bid farewell to Alpine earlier.
Sources around Zandvoort and Alpine confirm that Franco Colapinto is being groomed for his debut during the Emilia-Romagna GP. Alpine was already at the Dutch circuit on Tuesday, but has not yet tested with Colapinto. The 21-year-old Argentine is expected to take action – completely incognito – on Wednesday. The driver change may have something to do with the recent departure of team boss Oliver Oakes. The Briton suddenly left Alpine on Tuesday; top advisor Flavio Briatore took over his duties.
Oakes was a big supporter of Doohan, although it is clear that the 22-year-old Australian had trouble finding his footing in Formula 1. He has not scored a single point in the premier class and did not get further than a thirteenth place. In Miami, he initially showed a glimpse of his potential. With a strong qualifying round, he beat teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time and started from P14. However, his race ended in the first corner, after contact with Liam Lawson. It was his second retirement in six Grands Prix.
Pressure from Colapinto
A potential change is not entirely unexpected. Even before the start of the season, rumors circulated that Doohan would only get five to six races to prove himself. At the same time, Franco Colapinto was increasing pressure within the Alpine ranks. Interestingly, a sponsor of Colapinto let slip last week that the Argentine would be making his ‘debut’ in Imola – a comment that was later dismissed as a mistake, but which may now become a reality.
Colapinto, who came from the Williams program, is considered a promising talent. Last year, he inherited Logan Sargeant‘s seat and scored points for the British team on multiple occasions. However, with the arrival of Carlos Sainz, the Argentine could not maintain his position. Now a new opportunity beckons – this time at Alpine, in Jack Doohan’s car.
