BREAKING NEWS: A major shift in the Formula 1 driver market could be on the horizon, as new reports from ESPN suggest that Franco Colapinto remains a strong candidate to take over Jack Doohan’s seat at Alpine before the European leg of the 2025 season.

Sources close to the situation have confirmed to ESPN that Colapinto, the rising star from Argentina, is still likely to take the seat currently occupied by Doohan.

While the move has yet to be officially confirmed by the team, the persistent rumours suggest that significant changes could be afoot behind the scenes at Alpine.

 

 

Doohan faces the axe

The overnight report also mentioned Colapinto being linked with Red Bull’s junior team, which would have major implications for Liam Lawson’s future. However, that scenario seems less likely at this stage.

Instead, the focus has shifted back to Alpine, where Colapinto looks set to make his F1 return if things continue in this direction.

This development comes amid ongoing questions about Alpine’s long-term driver strategy. Jack Doohan, currently a race driver and highly touted prospect within the Alpine Academy, has yet to convince the renowned Flavio Briatore that he is worthy of a permanent race seat.

Should Colapinto get the nod, it would mark a major turning point not only for his career but also for the Enstone based team’s approach to driver development.

The European leg of the F1 season traditionally begins in late spring, making the window for a potential move relatively short.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes will be on Alpine as speculation continues to swirl around the garage and paddock.

Further updates will follow as this story develops…

 

 

 

Doohan vows to review F1 rulebook after penalty-filled weekend in China

Jack Doohan’s first full season in Formula One took a bruising turn at the Chinese Grand Prix, with the Alpine rookie leaving Shanghai with four penalty points added to his Super Licence as a result of two separate on-track incidents.

Under increasing pressure both on and off the track, the 22-year-old Australian has vowed to take a hard look at F1’s regulations and driving standards in a bid to clean up his act before it’s too late.

A double dose of penalties over the course of the sprint weekend has prompted Doohan to publicly acknowledge the need for change. While the infractions didn’t result in a disqualification or suspension, they serve as a warning shot, especially given how close he is now to the threshold that could trigger further sanctions.

The scrutiny comes at an already precarious time for Doohan, as fresh reports from ESPN now suggest that Alpine are preparing to replace him with highly-rated Argentinean driver Franco Colapinto before the European leg of the season begins.

With his seat potentially hanging in the balance, Doohan’s troubled Chinese GP could end up accelerating the timetable for change at the Enstone team.

McLaren names biggest title threat

 

 

 

A weekend to forget

The penalties began in Saturday’s sprint when Doohan collided with Sauber substitute Gabriel Bortoleto on the final lap. The incident earned the Australian a 10-second time penalty and two points, although he ultimately finished last in the session, making the sanction inconsequential in terms of race position.

Things got even worse during Sunday’s Grand Prix. Doohan, who was involved in a mid-field battle for 15th place with Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, misjudged his braking into Turn 14. The resulting lock-up saw him drift wide and force Hadjar off the track – a mistake that cost him a further 10 seconds and two penalty points.

In total Doohan now sits on four penalty points, a third of the 12-point limit that triggers an automatic race ban. More than the points, though, it’s the optics of two incidents in as many days that raise questions about the young driver’s consistency, awareness and adaptability at the highest level of the sport.

“To give away two places like that – no points for 14th or 16th – it definitely feels a bit better,” said Doohan after the race. “I’ll have to look at it again because I don’t want to get penalties on a regular basis.”

Doohan added that he intends to go back and study the FIA riding guidelines in the hope of recalibrating his bike as the season progresses. “There are a lot of positives to take forward. I just have to refresh myself, fill in the driver guidelines so that I stop having any issues,” he explained.

 

 

 

Honda now key to scrapping F1 2026 engines

 

 

Picking up the pieces

Despite the penalties, Doohan was able to salvage a 13th place finish in the Grand Prix thanks to the post-race disqualifications of Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, who crossed the line in 11th place. The final result offers some consolation in an otherwise confidence-sapping weekend.

Doohan remained upbeat, finding positives in an otherwise frustrating race. “We were lacking a bit of pace in general,” he admitted, “but to pick up four spots, head forward, keep the VCARB behind for 20-odd laps, a bike that was a Q3 car… They had solid pace. We have to be happy with that.

The reference to the VCARB (formerly AlphaTauri) highlights the reality facing Alpine this season. The car simply isn’t competitive enough to regularly challenge for points, making every small gain on race day feel like a minor victory. But the team’s relative lack of pace doesn’t fully explain the pressure cooker environment that currently surrounds Doohan.

Hamilton “leaks” poor Ferrari decision which caused DSQ

 

 

 

Replacement looms

The bigger concern for Doohan may not be his mistakes on track – but the growing speculation off them. According to a report from ESPN, sources have confirmed that Franco Colapinto remains in contention to take Doohan’s place at the Alpine before the European leg of the season. Colapinto, who is part of the Williams Driver Academy but has also recently been linked with Red Bull’s junior programme, is said to be a highly regarded name in the paddock and Alpine’s interest is looking increasingly serious.

While the idea of swapping a rookie mid-season isn’t unheard of, it would be a bold move for Alpine. Doohan, a long-time Alpine Academy driver and the son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, has been groomed for this opportunity. But grooming doesn’t guarantee results, and with Alpine in desperate need of progress, the decision may soon come down to performance metrics and political calculations rather than long-term development plans.

The next few races could be decisive. Doohan will need not only clean races, but standout performances to change the narrative surrounding him. Four penalty points may not be fatal, but they send a message that Doohan can’t ignore. Mistakes are to be expected from rookies, but repeated offences – especially those that don’t result in points – quickly wear thin.

McLaren not happy with China

 

 

A race against time

For now, Doohan remains defiant but self-aware. His vow to review the regulations and take more responsibility for his actions signals a willingness to learn and improve, but also a sense of urgency.

“I just need to refresh myself,” he said. “There’s no excuse for not knowing the rules inside and out.”

Doohan has shown flashes of talent throughout his young career, from junior formulae to his stint as Alpine’s reserve driver. But F1 is a brutal testing ground and patience is often in short supply.

As the European season approaches – and with it the possibility of Colapinto stepping into the spotlight – Jack Doohan finds himself in a battle not just for points, but for his place on the grid. The countdown is on.

READ MORE – F1 rookie review: “The good the bad and the ugly”

 

 

 

BREAKING F1 NEWS – Lawson sacked

Red Bull shake-up sends shockwaves through the paddock: Lawson demoted, Tsunoda promoted and Verstappen reportedly furious – The 2025 Formula One season has barely begun and already the first major line-up shake-up has sent shockwaves through the paddock. Red Bull Racing has executed a surprising and controversial driver switch that sees Liam Lawson demoted to the secondary team, Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri, now officially branded as VCARB), while Yuki Tsunoda is promoted to the top-tier Red Bull Racing squad.

This dramatic internal reshuffle has sparked outrage behind closed doors – most notably from Max Verstappen, who is reportedly “not happy” with the decision and has raised fresh concerns about his own future with the team…READ MORE ON THIS STORY