F1 drivers hammer Alpine after brutal Doohan-Colapinto swap

Alpine's decision to kick Jack Doohan out of its race seat for Franco Colapinto has been sharply criticised by a number of F1 drivers ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The decision to axe Doohan after the Miami Grand Prix was widely expected from the start of the season after Colapinto's signing as a reserve driver.

The Argentine has been given five races, up to and including the Austrian GP, to prove his worth before an evaluation is given ahead of the British GP at Silverstone. 

Across media day at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, a number of drivers with links to Doohan were asked about the situation, with their views listed below. 

Pierre Gasly - Alpine team-mate

"What I am going to say is that I got on very well with Jack, he is a nice guy, and a rookie in Formula 1, which is tough, especially in a very strong field this year with a lot of quick guys.

"From my side, I tried to support as much as I could on and off the track, so I don't really have more to say. 

"The decision is from the team, we have a lot of drivers, and feel the need to assess the performance of Franco, who did very well last year, and that's obviously the reason he was brought in to have this possibility. 

"But I like Jack, I like Franco, I worked well with Jack, and that is pretty much it."

Fernando Alonso - former Alpine driver

"I don't think there is much pressure to be honest, there is a lot of preparation.

"They do Formula 3, Formula 2, they know the circuits, they do the simulator, they do TPC programmes, and they get to Formula 1 very well prepared. 

"When I made my debut in 2001, one week before I did my seat fitting with Minardi, but he was bankrupt and we were not going to Melbourne. Paul Stoodart bought the team and we flew to Melbourne on Monday morning, so the pressure these days is a bit different. 

Esteban Ocon - former Alpine driver

"Unfortunately, not really any surprise from some of the decisions that have been taken recently by the team. 

"I don’t have much to say. Obviously, sad for Jack. I’m sure he’ll be back in F1 at some point. He showed some really strong moments this year where he qualified super well, and he’s also been super quick in the car, which was good to see. 

"On the other hand, Franco also deserves to be in F1. Last year, he showed some great things with the Williams car. Unfortunately, there are not enough cars on the grid to fit all the talents that are out there. But yeah, not much more to say. I’m happy where I am."

Oscar Piastri - fellow Australian driver

"I mean, it’s a tough situation all round. Obviously it was a short time in F1 for Jack. Franco is coming in with these five races, which is also not an easy circumstance to come back into F1. 

"For Jack, he can be proud of what he’s achieved. He still became an F1 driver, and no one can take that away from him. It’s a difficult situation, but it’s not really for me to comment on now."

Ollie Bearman - fellow 2025 rookie

"I think it is very difficult to have that situation and pressure weighing over your head from race one, I can only imagine is a horrible situation. 

"I feel like his treatment was very unfair, and coming from his position as a rookie myself, it is very difficult, especially in the first half of the season.

"In the first quarter of the season, we've gone to four of the six tracks which have been new to us rookies, we've had two Sprint events which are even more difficult and before we get to the European season, and tracks he knows, he's already thrown out of the car. So it is incredibly harsh in my opinion."

Liam Lawson - fellow 2025 rookie

"Yeah, I spoke to Jack. Obviously, for him, it’s very tough. I think he showed enough to stay in Formula 1, for sure. 

"He showed enough to be in Formula 1. But also, it’s hard — how can you be expected in five races to show everything you have, especially in your rookie season? 

"Unfortunately, it’s very cutthroat. But as Esteban said, I think he did enough — even before F1, he did enough to deserve to be there. And he’s done enough in F1 to deserve to come back.

"But with 20 seats, it’s very, very tough. Every team makes their own decisions, so there’s not really much more to say."

Alex Albon - Former team-mate to Colapinto at Williams

"I feel sorry for him. I don't know him that well, but he's obviously not had much time to prove himself. 

"I think he deserved a bit more time, for sure. It's a tricky one. I'm not sure what the wording was around the whole situation, what is it, five races? But let's wait and see, but it is not great.

"Jack is a hard worker, I saw the work he was putting in last year in the simulator, so he is very committed as an individual. 

He doesn't need any more motivation than he has, he just has to dig his heels in, get stuck in, and I don't know the programme, but I am sure he's going to be doing as much as he can in these next five races to help the team progress.

"Proving yourself without driving is a very tough position to be in mentally, but I think he has it in him. 

"It is one of them you definitely feel for one and Franco is going to do a fairly good job, he is very, very talented, but will take some time in getting up to speed, but he didn't take that much time at Williams."