In a surprising turn of events in the Formula 1 paddock, former Alpine CEO Marcin Budkowski has publicly criticized his former team’s decision to promote Jack Doohan to a full-time race seat for the 2025 season, only to replace him with Franco Colapinto after just seven races. Budkowski, who served as Alpine’s executive director from 2018 to 2022, described the move as a critical error, arguing that the team’s haste in elevating Doohan from their junior academy without sufficient preparation has cost them valuable momentum in a highly competitive midfield battle. His remarks have sparked debate about Alpine’s driver management strategy and their broader approach to team development.

Jack Doohan, the son of five-time 500cc motorcycling world champion Mick Doohan, joined the Alpine Academy in 2022 and was seen as a promising talent. His promotion to a race seat alongside Pierre Gasly for 2025 was a landmark moment, marking him as the first graduate of the Alpine Academy to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat with the team. Doohan’s credentials were strong: he finished third in the 2023 Formula 2 championship, securing three victories, and outperformed experienced driver Mick Schumacher in a private Alpine test to earn his 2025 seat. His reserve driver role in 2023 and 2024, coupled with simulator work and FP1 outings, suggested he was ready to step up. However, Budkowski argues that Alpine’s decision to thrust Doohan into the high-pressure environment of Formula 1 was premature.

The 2025 season started poorly for Alpine, with the team languishing in ninth place in the constructors’ standings with just seven points after six races. Doohan struggled to match the performance of teammate Gasly, who outqualified him in every race by an average of four positions and posted faster lap times by 0.17 to 0.50 seconds in the races where both finished. Doohan’s highest finish was P13 in China, and his campaign was marred by crashes, including a Lap 1 collision with Liam Lawson in Miami and a significant accident in practice in Japan. These incidents, combined with Alpine’s underwhelming A525 car, led to the decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto for at least the next five races, starting at Imola.

Budkowski, speaking to media outlets, expressed disappointment in Alpine’s handling of Doohan, suggesting that the team failed to give the rookie sufficient time to adapt. “Jack showed flashes of real pace, particularly in Bahrain and Miami, but Formula 1 is unforgiving for rookies,” Budkowski said. “Alpine’s rush to promote him was about showcasing their academy, but they didn’t provide the support or patience needed for him to grow into the role.” He pointed out that Doohan’s crashes, while costly, were not unusual for a driver in their first season, and engineers within the team reportedly believed he was “nearly there” in terms of performance.

The decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto, a 21-year-old Argentine driver who impressed during a nine-race stint with Williams in 2024, was heavily influenced by Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore. Colapinto, who brought significant commercial backing from Latin American sponsors like Mercado Libre, was signed as a reserve driver in January 2025, putting immediate pressure on Doohan. Despite Colapinto’s own crash-prone debut at Imola, his experience in scoring points with Williams made him an attractive option for a team desperate to climb the constructors’ standings. Budkowski, however, warned that this move could further destabilize Alpine, a team already grappling with internal turmoil following the resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes after just 10 months.

Alpine’s history of mismanaging talent is well-documented. The team famously lost Oscar Piastri to McLaren in 2022 and Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin in 2023, prompting Budkowski to question their long-term strategy. “Alpine’s ambitions are sky-high, but their execution often falls short,” he remarked, echoing sentiments he expressed in 2023 about the team’s inadequate investment relative to their goals. The revolving door of senior management— including Budkowski’s own departure in 2022, alongside figures like Cyril Abiteboul, Otmar Szafnauer, and Alain Prost—has only compounded the team’s challenges.

As Alpine navigates this latest chapter, the spotlight is on Colapinto to deliver results in the next five races. Meanwhile, Doohan remains a reserve driver, with a potential return at Silverstone if Colapinto falters. Budkowski’s critique raises broader questions about Alpine’s decision-making and whether their focus on short-term gains will undermine their long-term competitiveness in Formula 1’s relentless arena.