How lengthy has the writing been on the wall for at ? About 4 months. The second was as a reserve driver in January, it didn’t take a mastermind to determine that the Australian’s tenure in a race seat was . It was a ticking time bomb of a driver seat.
The final emanating from the Alpine press workplace additionally inform us what we’ve identified, , since his shock return final summer time: is on the wheel of the ship. A ship on very rocky waters.
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Many shall be unhappy to see former group principal Oliver Oakes depart; a mild-mannered character, his first foray into from junior components didn’t even final 12 months. The Brit resigned on Tuesday evening, with Briatore assuming all his duties. Twelve hours later, Colapinto’s five-race deal was confirmed. An inside disagreement over the motive force swap? You do the maths.
Oliver Oakes (proper) resigned as Alpine group principal on Tuesday evening with Flavio Briatore (left) taking over all his duties (Getty Pictures)
Briatore’s return to the paddock is an ethical complicated in itself. The 75-year-old Italian maverick was given a after the notorious , through which it was alleged that the then-Renault boss and chief engineer Pat Symonds instructed their driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to crash so as to help a win for Fernando Alonso, which got here to fruition.
Briatore and Symonds denied the costs, however Renault didn’t contest them in a 2009 FIA listening to. But Briatore himself contested his lifetime ban in a French courtroom and . Technically, he has been allowed to return to the game since 2013.
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A brutal taskmaster, Briatore of Drive to Survive, his most memorable look being when he advised Doohan: “I management you each millimetre.” His corrupt previous does undoubtedly casts a shadow over his return now.
Shortest stints in an F1 seat*
Liam Lawson – 2 races, Purple Bull 2025
Yuji Ide – 4 races, Tremendous Aguri, 2006
Nicolas Kiesa – 5 races, Minardi 2003
Jack Doohan – 7 races, Alpine 2024-25
Nyck de Vries – 10 races, AlphaTauri 2023
Karun Chandhok – 10 races, HRT 2010
*discounting short-term stand-ins
Maybe the one solace for Doohan, as he reacclimatises to his former life as a back-up as soon as once more, was that he began yet one more race than the early-season hearsay of 5 grands prix and out. The 22-year-old additionally lasted 4 races longer (5 when you embody his look ultimately 12 months’s season-finale in Abu Dhabi) than Liam Lawson, after from Purple Bull to sister group Racing Bulls following simply two races.
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But with Lawson the undesirable report holder of the shortest stint in a full-time F1 seat, Doohan now takes his place in fourth on the record.
It presents a considerably complicated story surrounding rookie drivers in F1 presently. On one hand, six rookies (when you embody Lawson) obtained a drive this 12 months, a report quantity. Kimi Antonelli has hit the bottom working at Mercedes, Ollie Bearman has proven flashes of brilliance at Haas and Gabriel Bortoleto is being afforded time at Sauber, given their lack of competitiveness. Isack Hadjar has additionally been an unlikely star at Racing Bulls.
Terrific for individuals who consider within the philosophy of giving youth an opportunity, in any sport, at any degree. But, contrastingly, is a shot on the massive time even value it when you’re solely allowed a handful of races to show your value, as was the case with Lawson and Doohan? Realizing that one weekend might wreck your profession trajectory, is the strain too excessive?
Clearly, a 20-car grid lends itself to a frenetic driver market. Colapinto’s spectacular nine-race stint at Williams on the finish of final 12 months – within the data {that a} full-time seat was not possible in 2025 – made the much-loved Argentine the large wildcard heading into this season.
Franco Colapinto has 5 races to show his value at Alpine (Getty)
Williams had been completely satisfied to let Colapinto head for pastures new. Briatore got here calling, obtained his man, and now arms him his shot, beginning on the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix subsequent week.
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However he doesn’t have lengthy to depart an enduring impression. Briatore makes it clear that the 21-year-old has till Silverstone in July – not even the summer time break, two races later – to show his value. At that time, merely midway via the 24-race season, the spot of Pierre Gasly’s teammate shall be reassessed as soon as once more.
What’s extra, as harsh a name as it’s on Doohan, he has not performed sufficient. Two pricey crashes – one on lap considered one of his residence race in Australia and one other – had been indicative of a driver below the cosh earlier than he was even within the cockpit. Clearly, a first-lap collision with Lawson and subsequent retirement in Miami had been the ultimate straw.
Doohan crashed in observe on the Japanese GP earlier this season (Sky Sports activities F1)
But sympathy shall be radiating all through the paddock. Doohan spent the opening weeks of his debut season, which ought to have been among the most fun of his life, rebuking queries about Colapinto’s arrival. The season launch occasion in London noticed a , with an Alpine press officer refusing to permit any extra questions on Colapinto. All in all, it felt uncomfortable.
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However now the torch passes to Colapinto. Briatore made clear that Alpine’s horizons are set on new rules subsequent 12 months – when they are going to take Mercedes engines for the primary time – they usually need to finalise a stable driver line-up for 2026. Pierre Gasly appears set to be their chief and the Frenchman has even talked about concentrating on a world championship subsequent 12 months, as outlandish an ambition as that appears.
However who shall be his teammate? Colapinto has a mere 5 grands prix to point out his mettle. Doohan and fellow reserve Paul Aron stay ready within the wings, anticipating a call-up from the unpredictable Briatore. An opportunity could possibly be on the playing cards once more forward of Spa-Francorchamps in late July.
Two years in the past, after 10 races felt brutal. Now, some drivers could be determined for that quantity. Rookies are being handed their probability however with an unprecedented catch: rise up to hurry rapidly, otherwise you’re out. The game has by no means been so ruthless to its newbies.
