On the again of Alpine’s resolution to axe Jack Doohan after simply six races into the season, Alpine’s Govt Advisor Flavio Briatore has opened up on the staff’s resolution, claiming that the Enstone-based squad desires to evaluate its driver line-up forward of the 2026 F1 season.
Alpine confirmed final August that Doohan would compete in 2025, changing Esteban Ocon. The Australian turned the primary Alpine Academy driver to be promoted to Method One.
As Ocon departed Alpine forward of the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which meant that Doohan made his F1 debut final 12 months on the Yas Marina Circuit. He certified twentieth on debut, earlier than ending fifteenth within the race.
Partnering Pierre Gasly for 2025, Doohan’s debut full-time marketing campaign in Method One has endured a tricky begin. Whereas he confirmed flashes of nice pace, he suffered a number of crashes throughout the primary six race weekends.
Following final Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix, Alpine have determined to drop Doohan for the subsequent 5 Method 1 races, with Franco Colapinto returning to the grid as his substitute.
The Enstone-based outfit made the choice to axe Doohan after simply six races of the 2025 F1 season. The Australian has not scored any factors to this point in 2025, having recorded his finest outcome with a Thirteenth-place end on the Chinese language Grand Prix.
Explaining the choice, Alpine’s Govt Advisor Flavio Briatore has famous that the shut competitors and the Enstone-based squad’s improved type signifies that each drivers want to maximise the automotive’s potential.
“Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we now have come to the choice to place Franco within the automotive alongside Pierre for the subsequent 5 races.
“With the sector being so intently matched this 12 months, and with a aggressive automotive, which the staff has drastically improved previously 12 months, we’re ready the place we see the necessity to rotate our line-up.”
With the 2026 F1 season set to convey an all-new technical laws, Briatore added that Alpine is raring to commit itself to one of the best driver line-up for the brand new period of Method One.
“We additionally know the 2026 season will likely be an essential one for the staff and having a whole and truthful evaluation of the drivers this season is the proper factor to do with a purpose to maximise our ambitions subsequent 12 months.
“We proceed to help Jack on the staff, as he has acted in a really skilled method in his position as a race driver to this point this season. The following 5 races will give us a chance to strive one thing totally different and after this time interval we’ll assess our choices.”
