The Formula One paddock has been thrown into turmoil after Alpine made an unexpected move to bring Franco Colapinto into its ranks. The decision, which came shortly after the confirmation of Jack Doohan as Pierre Gasly’s teammate for the 2025 season, has raised numerous questions about the team’s long-term intentions.
The abrupt nature of Colapinto’s arrival suggests that Alpine may have a more complex strategy at play, leaving Doohan in an awkward position before the season even begins. While speculation about a possible reshuffle is rife, Alpine management have sought to play down the concerns, insisting that Doohan’s seat remains secure – for now.
Colapinto’s arrival raises eyebrows in the paddock
Alpine’s announcement regarding Franco Colapinto came as a shock, especially given that Jack Doohan had recently ridden the team’s 2025 bike at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. Everything seemed set for Doohan to start his first full-time F1 campaign alongside Pierre Gasly. However, the unexpected recruitment of Colapinto has cast doubt on whether the young Australian’s position is as secure as it first appeared.
Colapinto had already impressed in the second half of 2024, having caught the eye of Williams after some standout performances. His addition to Alpine’s program suggests that the team sees significant potential in the Argentinian rider. This development has led many to speculate that Alpine may be considering a mid-season move should Doohan fail to live up to expectations.
For Doohan, this turn of events represents a significant challenge. The Australian has worked diligently within the Alpine system, biding his time for promotion after years of development. Now, before he has even had a chance to prove himself in F1, he finds himself in an uncertain position.
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Alpine tries to calm the storm as speculation mounts
Despite the rumours, Alpine’s management has moved quickly to reassure both Doohan and the wider F1 community. Team director Oliver Oakes dismissed suggestions that Doohan was already on the chopping block, insisting that the Australian would be given time to prove himself.
“I think we’ve been very honest about what we’re doing. I’m pretty calm about it and I think it would be good – I keep saying this – to let Jack sort it out and let the team sort it out, to be honest,” said Oakes in comments reported by Nextgen-Auto.
Oakes acknowledged that the situation had quickly become a hot topic in the media, but insisted that Doohan would be given space to concentrate on his performance rather than be distracted by external speculation. “I actually feel sorry for him because I understand that everyone wants clickbait and it’s a talking point. But I think we need to give him a bit of space to sort it out for a few rounds,” he added.
While Oakes’ words may provide some temporary reassurance, they do little to dispel the speculation surrounding Colapinto’s arrival. The reality remains that in modern Formula One teams are constantly looking for the strongest possible rider line-up, and if Doohan does not live up to expectations early in the season the pressure will mount.
Briatore’s influence and the bigger picture at Alpine
One of the most intriguing aspects of this situation is the influence of Flavio Briatore, who has recently become more involved in Alpine’s driver management. The Italian businessman, known for his no-nonsense approach and history of making bold decisions, has spoken openly about his role in shaping the future of the team.
Briatore’s comments suggest that Colapinto’s arrival is not a mere formality, but rather a strategic move that could have greater implications down the line. His track record of making decisive, often ruthless, calls has fueled speculation that Alpine is keeping its options open regarding its rider line-up.
Alpine’s decision to bring in Colapinto appears to be a calculated one, ensuring that they have a viable alternative should Doohan fail to live up to expectations. While Oakes has played down the immediate impact of the move, Briatore’s history suggests that the team will not hesitate to make changes if necessary.
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Doohan must perform under pressure
Jack Doohan finds himself in a high-pressure situation even before he has completed his first full season in F1. The presence of Colapinto in the background means that every race will be a test not only of his ability, but also of his ability to deal with the scrutiny that comes with such a precarious situation.
The reality of Formula One is that teams are ruthless when it comes to performance. Even a few underwhelming races could be enough for Alpine to consider alternatives, and with Colapinto already embedded within the team, the move would be easier than usual.
Oakes’ statement about wanting “the best rider in the car” only adds to the pressure on Doohan. He may have the backing of the team for now, but his future at Alpine will ultimately be decided by his results.
“I understand that everyone has an opinion. Everyone can be a keyboard warrior. But it’s very simple, isn’t it? We’re here to race. We want the best rider in the car, the best engine in the car,” said Oakes.
His comments suggest that performance will be the only deciding factor, and in that sense Doohan’s future is entirely in his own hands. If he can put in strong results and match or even outperform Pierre Gasly, he will consolidate his place. If he struggles, however, the presence of Colapinto will continue to loom large, waiting for an opportunity.
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What comes next?
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Jack Doohan. The Australian now faces one of the most challenging tasks of his young career – not only to prove that he belongs in F1, but to do so under the weight of internal competition.
The situation is equally intriguing for Franco Colapinto. While he is currently positioned as a third driver, his path to a race seat seems more direct than many expected. If he continues to impress behind the scenes, Alpine may find it difficult to ignore his potential.
Ultimately, Alpine has created a situation where competition is at the heart of its driver strategy. Whether this leads to stronger performances on track or internal instability remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Jack Doohan cannot afford a slow start to the season, because in F1 opportunities are fleeting and patience is often in short supply.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
Wait a minute!
Is Alpine in MotoGP???
This article refers Jack Doohan as a “Rider” and the Alpine F1 as a “”bike” (?!?!?!)
Either stop using AI to write articles or get someone who knows what they’re writing about.
Disappointing.
Thanks for highlighting this Serge, we’ve adjusted the text. FYI – we don’t use AI to generate articles, but we do use an AI powered spell checking and grammar application to correct any copy mistakes… Obviously it went a bit too far and we didn’t notice on this occasion!