The Alpine F1 team has confirmed it has dropped Jack Doohan from a full-time race seat in favour of Franco Colapinto with immediate effect for the next five races.
Colapinto signed a multi-year deal with Alpine earlier this year, becoming one of its reserve drivers as well as getting chances to test older F1 cars from the Enstone-based squad.
His impressive nine-race stint with Williams last year immediately generated speculation that he was being lined up for a mid-season promotion to Alpine in favour of rookie Doohan.
It placed an increasing threat on the shoulders of Doohan, who has failed to score points throughout the opening six rounds of the season.
The Australian driver will not return to the cockpit in just under two weeks' time, as Alpine has opted to place Colapinto alongside Pierre Gasly.
However, following a five-race stint for Colapinto, an evaluation will take place ahead of the British Grand Prix as to whether the Argentinian or Doohan will partner Gasly.
For now, Doohan has taken Colapinto's position as the team's reserve driver.
The announcement falls just hours after it was revealed that Oliver Oakes had resigned as Alpine's team principal, with executive advisor Flavio Briatore taking over his duties.
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