Doohan replaced by Colapinto from Imola? Alpine responds to rumors

Alpine put out the fire before it got out of control. Since the beginning of the week, a rumor has been surrounding the French team and one of its drivers, Jack Doohan. A rumor originating from Argentina, and more precisely from Horacio Marin, president of the YPF company, which is none other than... a sponsor of Franco Colapinto, currently a reserve for the A fléché. During an interview with the local channel A24, the manager was asked about the possible "beginnings" of Pilar's pilot with Alpine, to which he first replied: " I don't know " before letting go a few moments later: "In Imola", implicitly suggesting that Franco Colapinto would be the starter in place of Jack Doohan from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (May 16-18).

Obviously, that was all it took to fuel the rumor mill and stir up Twitter, where the Argentinian community is very present and active. This uproar has even reached the paddock in Miami, where the sixth Grand Prix of the season is taking place this weekend. In press conference, Oliver Oakes, Team PrincipalAlpine, responded by sweeping this rumor aside and securing Jack Doohan's position with the French team. "As it is today, Jack is our pilot with Pierre [gasly]. We have been very clear about this. We are still evaluating [the possibilities] but today, this is how it is."

Rumors inevitable, says Oakes

This latest rumor surrounding Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto comes at a time of rather difficult times for the Australian driver. Under pressure from Alpine and Flavio Briatore, special advisor to the French team, even before the start of the season, the young rookie has failed to prove himself and has still not scored a point after five rounds. The arrival of the Argentinian (and his many sponsors) this winter, as a reserve driver, had fueled speculation around a possible replacement for Jack Doohan during the season. For Oliver Oakes, the rumors were inevitable in such a situation.

"I knew it was coming. I saw it, like everyone else, assured the British leader. I think it was an Argentinian sponsor, off camera, giving his opinion on Franco, on when he would be in the car. I'm sure there are a lot of people in Argentina who would love him to be in the car this Sunday. We've been quite open as a team about the fact that these are just rumors. Jack has to keep doing a good job, but it's natural that there's always going to be speculation." Jack Doohan could get a reprieve until the summer break at home Alpine, but obviously, it will be the results that will dictate his short-term future with the arrowed A.

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