Just over a week after Alpine issued a crystal-clear press release announcing that Franco Colapinto would replace Jack Doohan for a five-race stint starting with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, team leader Flavio Briatore has now walked back that commitment – openly dismissing the original plan as non-binding.
The contradiction has raised questions not only about internal communication at Alpine, but also about the coherence of leadership since Briatore assumed effective control following the sudden resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes after the Miami Grand Prix.
The flamboyant Italian’s remarks, delivered with characteristic bravado, suggest a lack of alignment within Enstone that could further unsettle an already turbulent 2025 campaign.
From a Clear Plan to an Open-Ended Trial
On May 7, Alpine formally announced the temporary reshuffle, stating unambiguously that Colapinto would race for “the next five rounds.” The statement was reinforced by a quote attributed to Briatore himself:
“Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races. […] The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time period we will assess our options.”
Now, that commitment appears to have evaporated. Speaking to Sky Italy in Imola, Briatore offered a very different interpretation of Colapinto’s new role.
“Franco will race as much as needed. I read somewhere that he’ll have five races, but no, there’s no set limit on his races.
“He needs to be fast, not crash, and score points. I’m only asking him these three things — not 10. If he does them well, he’ll drive forever.”
The contradiction is jarring: a written team statement outlining a fixed plan, and a team boss casually brushing that aside within nine days. For a team in flux and languishing near the back of the grid, the inconsistency hardly inspires confidence in its management direction.
Leadership Shuffles and Vague Assurances
Briatore’s comments also addressed Oakes’ exit, which he attributed once again to a “personal issue” rather than internal strife.
“His resignation came after Miami due to a personal issue, and when it happened, I didn’t expect it either.
“This is a united team. There were rumours that I had argued with Oliver, but that’s not true — we have a great relationship.”
Read also: Colapinto ‘in a happy place’ – unfazed by ‘five race’ windowNow in full control, albeit without an official title, Briatore downplayed any structural changes.
“Nothing changes – the organisational chart has shifted a bit, but everything else stays the same. When it comes to the team principal role, I need to assess the situation…
“For now, I’m taking charge, but I’m used to that, it’s not my first day at school.”
That may well be true. But for a team trying to rebuild its competitive standing, clarity and consistency might be more valuable than Briatore’s flair for improvisation.
So far, neither seems to be in ample supply.
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