Alpine confirm Jack Doohan is out for next five races, Franco Colapinto to replace him on the grid
Alpine have officially made a call on the future of Jack Doohan with the team's reserve driver Franco Colapinto named to replace the Australian star for the next five races.
Speculation around the future of Doohan at Alpine has been rife as reports emerged that he would be give up to five races to prove his worth to remain in the seat.
The 22-year-old had a rocky start in his debut season having failed to make the top 10 in any race so far along with two DNF results.
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The driver change comes just hours after Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes resigned with immediate effect. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore was named to cover the role.
A statement from the team confirmed that Doohan has not been axed from his seat but has been switched to be the "first-choice reserve driver".
Jack Doohan walks in the pitlane ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. Bryn Lennon/Formula 1 via Getty Images
"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," Briatore said in a statement.
"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."
Doohan admitted that the switch was a "tough one for me to take", although he accepts the team's decision and will aim to return to the grid in the near future.
"I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula 1 driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this," he said.
"Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing.
"That said, I appreciate the team's trust and commitment. For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard ... and keep chasing my own personal goals."
Franco Colapinto of Alpine F1. Getty
Colapinto's inclusion on the grid has been a widely discussed topic in recent weeks, given Alpine's agreement with Williams to acquire the Argentine on a multi-year deal.
The 21-year-old will have five races to prove he has what it takes to stay on the grid.
"Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races," said Colapinto.
"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."
