Colapinto to drive for Alpine as Doohan dumped after six races

Franco Colapinto will drive for Alpine for the next five Formula One races in place of Jack Doohan, the French team announced on Wednesday.

The move comes after only six rounds of the 2025 season and just hours after the shock resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes.

The decision to promote Colapinto comes with Alpine ninth of the 10 teams in the constructors' world championship,

French driver Pierre Gasly has picked up all the team's seven points, with Australian Doohan yet to score in his rookie season.

Doohan's seat has been at risk from Colapinto ever since Alpine signed the Argentine from Williams over the winter.

Doohan replaced Esteban Ocon, who claimed Alpine's sole win, in Hungary in 2021.

"Franco Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, ahead of a new evaluation before the British Grand Prix in July," a team statement said. "Jack Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice reserve driver for this period of time."

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix takes place on May 18. 

– TIMES/AFP