Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s newly appointed executive advisor, openly discussed his decision to remove Jack Doohan from the race driver lineup in a detailed interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera. Highlighting his leadership philosophy, Briatore used the Jack Doohan sacking defended by Flavio Briatore case as an example of managing inevitable errors swiftly to keep the team on track.
He acknowledged,
“If you’re doing things, you’re going to make them. The key is to quickly adjust your course as soon as you realise it, without letting your pride keep you stuck on the wrong track.”
This mindset, Briatore explained, justified ending Doohan’s F1 race seat to give rookie Franco Colapinto a chance behind the wheel.
Leadership Choices Reflect Briatore’s Past Experience
Briatore drew parallels with his earlier career decisions, recalling how he once promoted a young Fernando Alonso from test driver over the more seasoned Jenson Button despite backlash from the British media.
“A manager is always alone when making big decisions,”
he stated,
“Then, over time, others come around.”
This emphasis on bold choices despite controversy framed his rationale for Doohan’s demotion, which came after the Miami Grand Prix last month.
Alpine’s New Lineup and Colapinto’s Early Struggles
Following Doohan’s demotion to reserve driver, Franco Colapinto was announced as his replacement, initially described as having a five-race contract. However, Briatore later clarified at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that
“there’s no set limit on his races,”
signaling flexibility based on performance. In Colapinto’s first three Grand Prix starts, he finished 16th, 13th, and 15th, including a significant practice crash at Emilia Romagna.
Briatore initially supported the promotion, calling the opportunity Colapinto’s “first real race.” Yet after the most recent events, his tone became more cautious:
“He crashed right away on the first race weekend,”
Briatore admitted.
“If I was to say I was happy, that would be a lie. I’m not happy at all.”
The Impact of the Decision on Alpine’s Future
Despite Colapinto’s challenging start and the controversy surrounding Doohan’s sacking, Briatore remains convinced that firm, sometimes unpopular decisions are necessary for Alpine to achieve success. His willingness to act decisively reflects a commitment to correcting the team’s course swiftly and prioritizing long-term results over short-term comfort.
