Alpine Formula 1 has been thrown into chaos just six races into the 2025 season, with Franco Colapinto announced as the replacement for Jack Doohan ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, and team principal Oliver Oakes resigning unexpectedly. These developments, unfolding within hours of each other, have left fans and insiders questioning the stability and future direction of the team. While initially assumed connected, Oakes’ departure reportedly stems from personal reasons rather than the driver switch, but the timing only adds to Alpine’s ongoing turbulence.
The replacement marks a startling shift for Alpine, one of the sport’s most unstable outfits in recent years. Despite the controversy surrounding the decision, the team framed Colapinto’s entry as a “rotation,” confirming him as Pierre Gasly’s teammate for the next five races only. This short-term arrangement is rare in modern Formula 1, especially being publicized upfront, and signals Alpine’s intention to assess their young talent pool carefully ahead of the significant regulation overhaul scheduled for 2026.
Alpine’s optimism about 2026 is grounded in their current partnership with Mercedes engines and a chassis that has already shown promise. As Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater explained, the team sees itself as a possible championship contender next year, potentially joining a competitive quartet. There have even been speculative whispers about Max Verstappen moving to Alpine in the future, though such rumors remain premature. Their focus remains sharply on evaluating the strongest driver pairing to take them through the upcoming regulatory reset.
Financial factors appear to weigh heavily on the five-race deal involving Colapinto. After a strong late-season run with Williams in 2024, where he impressed behind the wheel and brought significant Argentine backing, Colapinto’s marketability played a pivotal role in Alpine executive director Flavio Briatore’s decision to pay an estimated €4.5 million to secure him on a five-year loan. Slater noted that this financial arrangement compels Alpine to recoup their investment swiftly, which partly explains the unusual term of the contract.
Colapinto’s arrival is expected to open new sponsorship opportunities and secure valuable funds, representing a shrewd business move by Alpine amid the sport’s rising costs. Meanwhile, Jack Doohan’s downfall seemed inevitable after the team announced Colapinto as reserve driver in January, igniting rumors that the Australian’s seat was in jeopardy. Though Doohan showed potential, his rookie season has been marred by two significant crashes and a retirement at the Miami Grand Prix, leaving him vulnerable to replacement.
Despite the team positioning Doohan’s exit as part of a “rotation,” the likelihood of his return appears slim, especially with Paul Aron, another promising reserve driver, also in the picture. Aron and Colapinto have already completed four tests this season, giving Alpine ample data to decide the future lineup. As Slater pointed out, while Doohan’s comeback is not impossible, it would be a surprise given the current assessments and options available.
Former driver and analyst Karun Chandhok commented on Doohan’s patience amid the uncertainty, attributing it to Alpine keeping him as a possible fallback option. Yet the reality remains harsh; the driver market is competitive, and Doohan’s best bet might hinge on Colapinto struggling or underperforming.
“I think his best option really is if Colapinto struggles and they go off,”
Chandhok said, highlighting how fragile driver careers can be within such high-pressure environments.
Oliver Oakes’ resignation sparked immediate speculation that it was a reaction to the driver change or internal disagreements with Briatore. However, both parties released statements affirming their strong relationship and citing personal reasons for Oakes stepping down. Still, Chandhok expressed suspicions that deeper issues plague Alpine, describing the situation as “something more rotten” than just a driver decision. Observers believe there are unresolved problems behind the scenes that Alpine has yet to disclose.
Slater supported this view, noting that available information suggests Oakes’ departure was unrelated to the driver swap, but its timing has cast a shadow over the team’s unity. He suggested that the resignation might be a convenient moment for Oakes, but it underscores the ongoing instability within Alpine. Since 2021, Alpine has seen four different team principals leave, alongside numerous high-profile technical and executive exits. The losses of star drivers Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri at the end of 2022 also left the team scrambling to rebuild a competitive lineup.
Despite the turmoil, Alpine has attracted significant investment, securing around €200 million from a consortium including Hollywood celebrities and sports stars like Rory McIlroy and Anthony Joshua. This backing has kept the outfit afloat and hopeful for a revival. However, 2025 will be Alpine’s last year as a factory team under Renault ownership, as Renault has canceled plans to produce engines for 2026 onward, further complicating the team’s long-term viability.
Chandhok questioned Alpine’s broader strategy in light of these developments, wondering whether the team is preparing to capitalize on Formula 1’s growing commercial appeal through a potential sale. He remarked on the contradictory nature of Alpine’s moves, noting that without the works engine program, their competitive and branding prospects appear uncertain.
“Are they just playing the valuation game?”
Chandhok asked, suggesting that selling the team might be a clearer path forward if that is true.
Slater echoed that hope for a positive outcome exists despite the current chaos, but he emphasized the urgent need for Alpine to stabilize and focus on performance rather than internal flux. The team faces mounting pressure to deliver results on track amid the backdrop of leadership upheaval and driver uncertainty. The looming regulation changes in 2026 make the 2025 season a critical proving ground for Alpine’s plans and personnel decisions.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on May 16-18 will be the first race where Franco Colapinto officially takes to the grid with Alpine, streamed live on Sky Sports F1. This event marks a pivotal moment in the team’s season, testing whether the gamble on Colapinto can pay off both on and off the track or if Alpine’s troubles will deepen. Amid the frustration and tension, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see if Alpine can emerge from this storm or continue its descent into instability.
