Before the 2025 season even began, there were strong rumours that Franco Colapinto might replace Jack Doohan at Alpine at some point during the year.

Colapinto had joined the team as a reserve driver after moving over from Williams, and his signing immediately created pressure on Doohan, who was making his full-time debut.

Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore is known to be a big supporter of the Argentine driver and was reportedly keen to give him a chance in a race seat. Still, the team decided to give Doohan time with an understanding that his performance would be reviewed around the summer.

Now as F1 heads to Imola in just under two weeks that speculation has reignited. Reports from respected outlets like The Race and De Telegraaf claim Alpine is seriously considering making the switch sooner than expected.

The rumours gained traction after the CEO of YPF one of Colapinto’s key sponsors was overheard off-camera suggesting that the change would happen in time for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Though he later said it was only his personal hope the link between YPF Colapinto and Alpine’s fuel partner Eni adds weight to the speculation.

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Doohan’s results have not helped his case. He remains one of only four drivers without a point in 2025 and has had a string of incidents since the season began. He crashed out on the first lap in Australia picked up penalties in China had another crash in Japan practice and most recently collided with Liam Lawson in Miami on the opening lap in a race where he had impressively outqualified teammate Pierre Gasly. While his raw pace has shown promise he has not yet managed to put together a clean complete weekend.

With the European leg of the season about to begin and a demanding triple-header coming up Alpine may decide it is time to make a change. Some sources even claim that Doohan has already been informed about this switch, however, an official confirmation is still missing.