Alpine F1 Team: A Mid-Season Shakeup Raises More Questions Than Answers.

In a season already marked by chaos and uncertainty, Alpine’s latest decisions have left fans scratching their heads. 

Image Credit to: Getty Images, Alpine F1 Team

Leadership In Crisis: Oakes Resigning Six Races Into The Season.

Just six races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, the team finds itself in the eye of a storm: team principal David Oakes has unexpectedly resigned with Flavio Briatore, (executive advisor) stepping up as Team Principal -and will also cover duties previously performed by Oakes- and rookie driver Jack Doohan is set to be replaced at least temporarily, by Formula 2 standout Franco Colapinto.

It’s a situation few could have predicted at the start of the year. After last season’s underwhelming performance, Alpine entered 2025 determined to rebuild, with high hopes pinned on their driver lineup of Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan. But six races in, Alpine sits stranded near the back of the midfield, plagued by reliability issues, strategic missteps, and a car that’s failed to live up to its expectations.

The resignation of Oakes reportedly due to internal disagreements over the team’s development direction has only deepened the sense of instability. For a team that was once touted as a rising midfield contender with long-term ambitions of challenging for podiums, these abrupt leadership changes raise serious concerns about their trajectory.

Doohan Replaced: Colapinto Steps Up.

Perhaps the most surprising twist is the sudden replacement of Doohan. After a shaky start to his rookie campaign, the Australian driver has been sidelined for at least the next five races, with Argentine talent Franco Colapinto stepping up from his reserve role. While official statements cite a desire to “explore different performance avenues,” rumors swirl that internal pressures and sponsorship dynamics may have influenced the decision.

Adding another layer to the dramatic situation is the appointment of Flavio Briatore as Alpine’s new team principal. In an ironic twist, Briatore is also Jack Doohan’s manager, placing him in the awkward position of balancing the team’s decisions with the interests of his own driver. The move raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and what it could mean for Doohan’s chances of returning to the cockpit anytime soon. 

The Opportunity For Colapinto And Argentina:

Colapinto’s debut is set to generate significant attention. A fan favorite with an aggressive driving style and a strong junior career, his promotion to a race seat marks a milestone for Argentine motorsport, a nation that hasn’t seen a full-time F1 driver since Gastón Mazzacane over two decades ago. 

But with Alpine’s current form, Colapinto’s challenge will be steep: navigating the political turbulence off-track while extracting the most from a struggling package on it. 

Where Does Alpine Go From Here?

The question looming over the paddock is simple: what’s next for Alpine? With all these issues occurring, the team faces a critical period of rebuilding.

Their struggles this season reflect deeper issues beyond personnel changes—strategy, development, and internal alignment all appear fractured. For a team once targeting podiums and long-term competitiveness, the reality is now a desperate fight to stay relevant in the midfield.

For Colapinto, the next five races are more than a trial—they’re an audition for a permanent seat and a chance to inject fresh energy into a team in desperate need of direction.

A Defying Chapter Ahead.

For fans, it’s a bittersweet spectacle. Behind the headlines and chaos, Alpine’s situation is a reminder of Formula 1’s brutal nature: a sport where patience runs thin, and fortunes can pivot in the blink of an eye.

One thing’s for certain: Alpine’s 2025 season is far from over, but its next chapter might be its most defining yet, and only time can tell. 

Written by: Joanna Kapournioti (The Checkered Goals)