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Alpine’s Jack Doohan Faces Competition from Franco Colapinto

Oliver Oakes, the team principal of Alpine, has reaffirmed his commitment to providing rookie driver Jack Doohan with a “fair chance” to prove himself, despite the team recently signing the more experienced Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver.

Doohan’s promotion to replace Esteban Ocon for the 2025 season was officially announced over the summer. He will gain valuable experience with an early debut at the Abu Dhabi season finale, laying the groundwork for his full campaign in the upcoming year.

Alongside Doohan’s appointment, Alpine had previously announced its junior driver, Paul Aron, as a reserve. The team’s strategy expanded further with the addition of Colapinto, following a partnership with Williams for the highly regarded young driver.

Colapinto made headlines with a surprise mid-season debut with Williams last year, stepping in for the underperforming Logan Sargeant. His performance was noteworthy, as he secured five points in his first four races, highlighting his ability to adapt quickly to the top echelons of motorsport.

While Colapinto’s impressive speed and potential attracted interest from Red Bull for the 2025 season, a series of mishaps and the declining performance of Williams led to reevaluation of his prospects. Despite this, Colapinto’s entry has seemingly intensified the pressure on Doohan as he prepares to embark on his Formula 1 career.

Confidence in Doohan’s Abilities

In a recent appearance on the James Allen on F1 podcast, Oakes emphasized that Alpine intends to provide Doohan with ample opportunity to establish himself within the team, with Colapinto’s addition serving to enhance the team’s depth rather than to pressure the rookie. Oakes stated, “It’s been a little bit harsh on Jack, some of the stuff that was written by the keyboard warriors there, and he’s getting his fair crack at it next year.”

Continuing, he noted, “The intention there isn’t to put [pressure] on his shoulders. It’s genuinely to give the team options further down the line.” Oakes highlighted the critical nature of performance in Formula 1, explaining that the team’s success relies heavily on the drivers’ abilities to deliver consistent results.

On the subject of Colapinto, Oakes acknowledged that the young driver made a significant impact during his time with Williams. “I think Franco made a great first impression,” he remarked. “It was clear to see that he probably tried a bit too hard at the end there.” Oakes pointed out the complexities involved in assessing Colapinto’s performance, considering the stress of not having a confirmed seat and potential issues with car parts.

Strategic Planning for the Future

Oakes further conveyed the strategic vision for the team, saying, “For us as a team it’s great to have that roster of two young drivers in Paul and Franco there waiting in the wings. It’s not just about 2025; 2026, 2027 is around the corner.” He underscored the challenge of planning for future driver line-ups in the ever-evolving landscape of Formula 1.

In conclusion, Oakes expressed that maintaining competition within the ranks is vital for performance consistency. “It just keeps everyone honest in terms of how they’re performing and gives us options,” he added.

As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Doohan as he seeks to carve out his niche in the competitive world of Formula 1, with the support of Alpine and the pressure of promising drivers like Colapinto and Aron watching from the sidelines.

Listen to the latest episode of the James Allen on F1 podcast for more insights and analysis.

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