Claims Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan f...

Alpine Method 1 crew boss Oliver Oakes denied rumours that Franco Colapinto would exchange Jack Doohan on the subsequent spherical in Imola, stating “as we speak, that is the case” that Doohan would proceed.

Colapinto signed as Alpine’s reserve driver final January following his nine-grand-prix stint as a daily driver for Williams final 12 months, and there was a lot hypothesis ever since about the potential of seeing the Argentine again on the F1 grid.

Doohan, Pierre Gasly’s new teammate for the 2025 season at Alpine, has not had outcomes on par with the Frenchman up to now, which has solely led to growing hypothesis about his keep on the Enstone crew.

This hypothesis was fuelled additional when Horacio Marín, CEO of Argentina’s state-owned oil firm YPF, stated in a tv interview on La Nación+ – when he thought he was off-air – that Colapinto would debut together with his new crew on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which can happen in Imola in two weeks.

He later clarified his remark, saying he had solely stated it as a private hope: “What I am saying is that I hope he races at Imola. And if that occurs, he’ll name me.

“How am I speculated to have the data if I am the president of YPF, not Colapinto’s consultant? I’ve a unprecedented relationship with him, however we do not speak all day lengthy.”

In the course of the crew principals’ press convention on Friday on the Miami Grand Prix, Oakes was requested in regards to the state of affairs – and though he steered that the hypothesis was pure, he took Marin’s feedback with a pinch of salt.

When requested immediately if he might verify Doohan can be driving for the Alpine crew at Imola, Oakes indicated that “as we speak, it’s the case” that the Australian will stay in his drive.

“I noticed it like everybody else, I feel it was a sponsor from Argentina off-camera giving his view on Franco when he’ll be within the automotive. I am positive there’s lots of people in Argentina who’d like him within the automotive this Sunday,” he defined.

“I feel we have been fairly open as a crew, and that is simply noise on the market. Jack must proceed doing a superb job however I feel clearly it is pure that there is at all times that hypothesis there.”

“As it’s as we speak, Jack is our driver, together with Pierre. I feel we have been fairly clear about that. I imply, we at all times consider it. However sure, as we speak that is the case.”

Images from Miami GP – Apply