Alpine’s rider reshuffle: Jack Doohan out, Franco Colapinto in? Alpine’s approach to rider management has been a hot topic ever since Flavio Briatore re-entered the team’s leadership structure. Critics have been vocal about the seemingly erratic decisions made within the driver line-up, and now yet another controversial shift appears to be on the horizon.
According to former McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya, the French team has already made up its mind about replacing Jack Doohan with Argentinean talent Franco Colapinto. The move, if confirmed, raises more questions than answers about Alpine’s long-term vision in F1. With an already unstable driver strategy, this latest shake-up could bring even more uncertainty to the team’s future.
Alpine’s unclear strategy: A confusing driver line-up
Alpine’s recent moves in the driver market have left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. First, the team announced its decision to part ways with Esteban Ocon, signalling a clear change in direction. To fill the void, Alpine looked within their own ranks and promoted Jack Doohan from the team’s academy – a decision that seemed logical on the surface.
However, things quickly took a more unpredictable turn. Shortly after confirming Doohan, Alpine brought in three other riders in different roles. Paul Aron was announced as the reserve driver, a reasonable decision given his strong performances in the junior categories. But then came the addition of Ryo Hirakawa, who was to take part in the first free practice session at Suzuka, his home Grand Prix.
The most surprising name, however, was Franco Colapinto. The Argentinean driver, who had been part of the Williams Academy and made a strong impression on his F1 debut last season, now found himself in Alpine’s ranks. His arrival immediately raised concerns about Doohan’s long-term future with the team.
The sudden influx of riders has sparked speculation that Alpine is struggling to find a clear development strategy. While driver academies are meant to nurture young talent and integrate them into Formula 1, Alpine’s approach appears to be a revolving door of short-lived opportunities rather than a structured long-term plan.
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Montoya confirms Doohan’s departure
Former McLaren rider Juan Pablo Montoya has added fuel to the speculation, claiming that Alpine have already made the decision to replace Jack Doohan. Speaking to AS Colombia, Montoya said:
“The difficult thing about Doohan is that from the outside it looks like the decision has already been made. I think it will happen. I think F1 has seen how important [Colapinto’s popularity] is, and F1 in the background is already helping to make it happen.
Montoya’s comments suggest that Doohan’s time in the Alps may come to an abrupt end before he has had a real chance to prove himself. If true, this would mark yet another unexpected and arguably premature change of rider within the team.
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Popularity over performance? The Franco Colapinto factor
Montoya also highlighted Colapinto’s growing popularity as a key factor in Alpine’s decision-making process.
“Formula 1 has seen how popular Colapinto is. It’s very interesting! We talked about the opportunities at Alpine, the academy drivers, the drivers in F2, in F3 – very good drivers! Franco was at Williams, in the Williams Academy, and suddenly he has the chance to race. Now, none of those drivers in F2 will get the seat. It will be Franco”.
These remarks suggest that Alpine may be prioritizing marketability over merit when it comes to driver selection. While Colapinto has undoubtedly shown promise in his junior career, the idea that his popularity could be influencing Alpine’s decision raises concerns about whether the team is making choices based on commercial appeal rather than raw talent and development potential.
If Colapinto does replace Doohan, it would mean yet another driver pairing for Pierre Gasly, who has already had to adapt to multiple teammates in recent seasons. Constant changes within a team’s line-up can lead to instability, making it difficult to build chemistry and consistency.
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What’s next for Alpine?
Alpine’s driver uncertainty is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The team has been struggling with performance issues in recent seasons, and instability within the rider line-up only adds to the challenges they face.
With Esteban Ocon set to leave the team, Jack Doohan’s possible departure and Franco Colapinto’s rumoured arrival, Alpine’s long-term vision remains unclear. While nurturing young talent is a vital part of any team’s development strategy, the revolving-door approach raises concerns as to whether Alpine have a concrete plan in place or are simply making reactive decisions in response to external pressure.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Alpine to see how their rider situation unfolds. If Colapinto does indeed replace Doohan, the move will undoubtedly spark debate – both for its sporting implications and for what it suggests about the team’s future priorities.
For now, the only certainty at Alpine seems to be uncertainty itself.
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Maybe in the summer break.