Doohan Reportedly Told He Will Not Race at Imola

Alpine Set to Hand Seat to Franco Colapinto as Driver Rotation Begins

In a move that could mark the beginning of a broader shake-up at Alpine, reports suggest Jack Doohan has been informed he will not be racing at the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. According to The Race, the Australian driver has already been told by the team that he will be stepping aside, making way for Argentine rising star Franco Colapinto to take the wheel.

While an official announcement from Alpine remains pending, the internal communication to Doohan is said to have taken place directly after the Miami Grand Prix, suggesting the team has already finalized its plans behind closed doors.

Doohan Informed of Imola Decision Right After Miami

Multiple sources, including The Race, report that Doohan received the news immediately following the Miami race weekend. Before the young Aussie had even packed up and left the paddock, team representatives are said to have approached him with the message: he would not be driving at Imola.

It was a decision that caught many in the paddock off guard. Doohan has been part of Alpine’s long-term driver development programme and was widely expected to be next in line for a full-time Formula 1 seat. However, the team appears to be taking a different route—one that involves a more fluid approach to its driver lineup throughout the season.

Franco Colapinto Steps In: A Long-Awaited F1 Debut

With Doohan sidelined, the opportunity now shifts to Franco Colapinto. The 21-year-old Argentine has been waiting in the wings for some time, serving as Alpine’s reserve driver and participating in FP1 sessions and simulator work.

For Colapinto, Imola will be more than just another race weekend—it’s a chance to prove he belongs at the top level. His rise through the junior ranks has been steady, if not spectacular, and many in the motorsport world have tipped him as a future F1 regular.

He’ll be lining up alongside Pierre Gasly, who has struggled to find consistency this season as Alpine continues to search for a competitive edge. Colapinto’s debut will also mark the first time since 2001 that an Argentine driver races in Formula 1—an important moment for motorsport fans back home.

A Broader Strategy: Paul Aron Could Be Next

Alpine’s driver changes aren’t stopping with Colapinto. The French outfit is also said to be considering Estonian driver Paul Aron for a future race seat later in the season. Aron, another promising talent from the team’s development programme, has been turning heads in Formula 2 and could be the next in line to get a shot at Formula 1.

This new approach seems to reflect a broader strategic shift at Alpine. Rather than committing early to a long-term second driver, they may be using the 2025 season as a live testbed to evaluate multiple reserve drivers in race conditions.

It’s a strategy that’s not entirely unheard of—Toro Rosso (now Visa Cash App RB) tried something similar in the mid-2000s—but it’s certainly rare in today’s Formula 1 landscape, where consistency is usually prized over experimentation.

Doohan Not Out of the Picture Yet

Despite being benched for Imola, Jack Doohan remains part of the Alpine fold. He is still officially listed as the team’s reserve driver and is expected to continue participating in simulator sessions, testing programmes, and potentially stand in again later in the season should the need arise.

This isn’t necessarily the end of the road for Doohan. Far from it. The Australian has shown flashes of real potential in both junior series and F1 testing. What’s more, his professional conduct and technical feedback are said to be highly valued within the team.

Still, there’s no sugar-coating the situation: being informed mid-season that your race seat is being handed to someone else is never easy, and it undoubtedly complicates his trajectory toward a full-time drive in 2026.

Alpine Yet to Make Public Announcement

As of now, Alpine has not made any official comment regarding the situation. That said, given that Doohan has already been informed and preparations for Imola are well underway, a public statement from the team appears imminent.

It’s also unclear whether Colapinto’s drive at Imola will be a one-off or if Alpine plans to rotate drivers across several Grands Prix. If the latter is true, it would make the team’s strategy one of the most experimental in modern F1 history—especially considering the cost cap era and the importance of consistent performance data for car development.

What This Means for Alpine’s 2025 Outlook

Alpine’s current trajectory suggests a season of transition rather than one of targeted competition. The team has struggled to break into the midfield battle this year, with both performance and reliability issues plaguing their campaign.

Introducing multiple reserve drivers into race weekends could disrupt the continuity needed to develop their car, but it might also help them make a more informed choice for their 2026 lineup.

It’s clear that Alpine is focused on long-term restructuring. With team principal Bruno Famin in charge of a wider overhaul, and rumours of significant staffing changes behind the scenes, testing young drivers under race conditions could be seen as part of a holistic strategy aimed at resetting the team’s foundations.

The Drivers’ Perspective

For Doohan, Colapinto, and Aron, the current situation is both a challenge and an opportunity. For Doohan, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but not necessarily a closed door. For Colapinto, it’s a dream realized—an official Formula 1 start. And for Aron, the path is beginning to clear.

In this environment, adaptability is everything. Colapinto will be eager to prove his worth, knowing that a strong debut could lock in more appearances this season. Meanwhile, Doohan will need to stay mentally strong and ready to grab the next opportunity when it comes.

A Changing Landscape in F1 Driver Development

What’s unfolding at Alpine could signal a shift in how teams manage young talent. For years, top teams have stockpiled reserve and junior drivers with limited opportunities to give them real-world race experience.

By rotating reserve drivers into actual Grands Prix, Alpine may be pioneering a new model—one that provides meaningful data and on-track evaluation, rather than relying solely on simulation or practice sessions.

It’s a bold approach, and one that could backfire if results don’t follow. But in a sport that demands constant evolution, maybe boldness is exactly what Alpine needs.