Why ‘Argentina’s second-biggest star behind Lionel Messi’ only has a five-race deal in F1 ...Middle East

Formula 1 starlet Franco Colapinto will be under instant pressure to deliver in his Alpine debut at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.

The Argentine starts the first of his five-race agreement to partner Pierre Gasly at Imola, after replacing Jack Doohan at the French team.

The latter, who will remain with Alpine as a reserve driver, has become the first F1 driver to lose his seat on the grid this season.

Doohan failed to score a point during the opening six rounds, but unlike Liam Lawson, he has been banished to the paddock.

Speculation over the Australian’s future began before his rookie campaign had even started following Alpine’s signing of Colapinto.

The Enstone-based team swooped to land the 21-year-old from Williams in January on a multi-year deal, initially as a reserve driver.

Colapinto caught the eye with his performances in his nine-race appearances for Williams last year and brings significant financial backing from sponsors in his native Argentina.

F1.com’s Lawrence Barretto explained: “He also brings starpower as well as a huge, passionate and engaged fanbase, having starred for Williams and become a national hero in his home country of Argentina.

“His impact was such that he is considered the nation’s current second biggest sporting star behind footballing legend Lionel Messi.”

However, after pulling the trigger ahead of Imola this weekend, his new team have confirmed the clock is already ticking on his future.

Why does Colapinto only have a five-race deal at Alpine?

Alpine’s executive advisor and de facto team principal, Flavio Briatore, has described Colapinto’s promotion as a ‘rotation’.

The decision was made as part of ‘an on-going assessment’ of the F1 strugglers’ driver line-up, rather than a permanently fixed switch.

In an Alpine release confirming the driver switch, Briatore said: “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.

“With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, which the team has drastically improved in the past 12 months, we are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up.

“We also know the 2026 season will be an important one for the team, and having a complete and fair assessment of the drivers this season is the right thing to do in order to maximise our ambitions next year.

“We continue to support Jack as the team, as he has acted in a very professional manner in his role as a race driver so far this season.

“The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different, and after this time period we will assess our options.”

Alpine’s decision was made official just days after Doohan, the son of motorcycle legend Mick, registered a DNF at the Miami Grand Prix.

Having spent the previous three seasons as a reserve driver before this year, the rookie admitted the demotion has been tough to take.

Doohan said: “I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula 1 driver, and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream.

“Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally, I want to be racing. That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team to achieve, and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those.

“For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals.”

Colapinto will hope to start fast at Imola, with his short-term assessment also covering the Monaco, Spanish, Canadian, and Austrian Grands Prix.

He secured two points-scoring finishes in his first four races after replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams, but his form dipped with several crashes during the latter rounds of the 2024 season.

Colapinto said: “Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races.

“I will work hard with the team to prepare for the next race in Imola and the upcoming triple-header, which will no doubt be intense and a big challenge for everyone.

“I have stayed sharp, and I am as ready as possible with the team’s race support testing programme, as well as on the simulator at Enstone. I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results alongside Pierre.”

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