System 1 workforce boss Oliver Oakes denied rumours that would exchange on the subsequent spherical in Imola, stating “immediately, that is the case” that Doohan would proceed.
Colapinto signed as Alpine’s reserve driver final January following his nine-grand-prix stint as an everyday driver for final yr, and there was a lot hypothesis ever since about the potential for seeing the Argentine again on the F1 grid.
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Doohan, Pierre Gasly’s new teammate for the 2025 season at Alpine, has not had outcomes on par with the Frenchman thus far, which has solely led to growing hypothesis about his keep on the Enstone workforce.
This hypothesis was fuelled additional when Horacio Marín, CEO of Argentina’s state-owned oil firm YPF, mentioned in a tv interview on La Nación+ – when he thought he was off-air – that Colapinto would debut together with his new workforce on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which is able to happen in Imola in two weeks.
He later clarified his remark, saying he had solely mentioned it as a private hope: “What I am saying is that I hope he races at Imola. And if that occurs, he’ll name me.
“How am I imagined to have the data if I am the president of YPF, not Colapinto’s consultant? I’ve a rare relationship with him, however we do not speak all day lengthy.”
Oliver Oakes, Group Principal, Alpine F1 Group
Oliver Oakes, Group Principal, Alpine F1 TeamSimon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
Simon Galloway / Motorsport Photos
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In the course of the workforce principals’ press convention on Friday on the Miami Grand Prix, Oakes was requested in regards to the scenario – and though he steered that the hypothesis was pure, he took Marin’s feedback with a pinch of salt.
When requested straight if he may affirm Doohan will likely be driving for the Alpine workforce at Imola, Oakes indicated that “immediately, it’s the case” that the Australian will stay in his drive.
“I noticed it like everybody else, I believe it was a sponsor from Argentina off-camera giving his view on Franco when he will be within the automobile. I am certain there’s lots of people in Argentina who’d like him within the automobile this Sunday,” he defined.
“I believe we have been fairly open as a workforce, and that is simply noise on the market. Jack must proceed doing a superb job however I believe clearly it is pure that there is at all times that hypothesis there.”
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“As it’s immediately, Jack is our driver, together with Pierre. I believe we have been fairly clear about that. I imply, we at all times consider it. However sure, immediately that is the case.”
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