Fresh off the high-speed drama of Miami, Alpine have sent shockwaves through the paddock by announcing the immediate resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, and in the same breath, the benching of Jack Doohan.
Replacing the young Australian for the next five races is Franco Colapinto, the sharp-edged Argentinian talent who turned heads last year in a cameo role for Williams.
From Alpine Principal to Past Tense
Oliver Oakes, who only took the reins in July 2024, has left the building. No long goodbye, no soft exit, just a brisk Tuesday statement: “The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect.”
Oakes, a former racing driver and the man behind Hitech Grand Prix, was seen by many as a steadying hand after a turbulent few years for the Enstone squad. Under his leadership, Alpine clawed their way to sixth in last season’s Constructors’ Championship, no small feat considering the internal reshuffles and mixed car performance.
But the momentum didn’t last. Nine races into 2025, Alpine sit P9 in the standings, behind Haas and barely ahead of Kick Sauber. In Miami, Oakes was visibly frustrated after Jack Doohan’s first-lap tangle with Liam Lawson ended in early retirement. The writing, it seems, was already on the pit wall.
Stepping in (again) is Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor and longtime F1 rainmaker. Briatore now takes over Oakes’ duties (at least for the foreseeable future).
If you’re getting déjà vu, you’re not alone. Oakes becomes the latest in a growing list of Alpine Team Principals to exit the revolving door in the last 24 months, joining Otmar Szafnauer and Bruno Famin in the club of short-lived tenures.
Doohan Out, Colapinto In
Following a rocky start to his full-time campaign, marked by a DNF in Miami and an earlier crash in Suzuka, Jack Doohan has been rotated out. Franco Colapinto will take his position on the grid for the upcoming Imola Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The 21-year-old Argentinian is no stranger to high-pressure gigs. He stood in for Williams last year, scoring points in Azerbaijan and Austin, but also endured crashes in São Paulo and Vegas. He’s young, fiery, and fearless, exactly what Alpine seems to be looking for.
“As part of an ongoing assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds,” read Alpine’s statement. “Franco Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix onwards.”
“Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races. I’ve stayed sharp, and I’m ready. I’ll give it my all alongside Pierre,” added Colapinto.
For Jack Doohan, the announcement hits hard. After being fast-tracked into the main race seat at the tail-end of 2024, expectations were sky-high. But seven races in, he’s struggled to match Pierre Gasly. Costly incidents and inconsistent pace have left team bosses with tough questions.
“Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take,” Doohan admitted in a heartfelt statement. “But I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. I’ll continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can.”
He now returns to his role as Alpine’s Reserve Driver.
The decision to rotate race seats mid-season is always risky. But Briatore sees method in the madness. “The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different,” he said. “2026 is crucial. We need a complete and fair assessment of our drivers to maximise our ambitions next year.”
Alpine’s playing the long game. With a competitive car expected in the coming seasons and new engine regulations on the horizon, the team is clearly weighing its options and looking for a future-proof lineup.
All eyes now turn to Imola, where Colapinto will make his Alpine debut amid the emotionally charged backdrop of a triple-header.
Photo Credits: All images used in this article belong to the official Formula One Content Pool
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