Overview

• Alpine confirmed Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for at least five races starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, citing a need to evaluate drivers for its 2026 lineup.
• Team boss Flavio Briatore contradicted the initial five-race limit, stating Colapinto's tenure could extend indefinitely based on performance.
• Jack Doohan, who scored no points in the first six races, remains Alpine's priority reserve driver under his existing contract.
• Fellow F1 drivers criticized Alpine's decision as harsh, highlighting the immense pressure placed on rookies to perform in limited opportunities.
• Colapinto acknowledged the challenges of adapting quickly to a new car, suggesting five races may not be sufficient to fully showcase his capabilities.