Fresh off the high-speed drama of Miami, Alpine have sent shockwaves through the paddock by announcing the immediate resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, and in the same breath, the benching of Jack Doohan.

Replacing the young Australian for the next five races is Franco Colapinto, the sharp-edged Argentinian talent who turned heads last year in a cameo role for Williams.

From Alpine Principal to Past Tense

Oliver Oakes, who only took the reins in July 2024, has left the building. No long goodbye, no soft exit, just a brisk Tuesday statement: “The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect.”

Oakes, a former racing driver and the man behind Hitech Grand Prix, was seen by many as a steadying hand after a turbulent few years for the Enstone squad. Under his leadership, Alpine clawed their way to sixth in last season’s Constructors’ Championship, no small feat considering the internal reshuffles and mixed car performance.

But the momentum didn’t last. Nine races into 2025, Alpine sit P9 in the standings, behind Haas and barely ahead of Kick Sauber. In Miami, Oakes was visibly frustrated after Jack Doohan’s first-lap tangle with Liam Lawson ended in early retirement. The writing, it seems, was already on the pit wall.

Stepping in (again) is Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor and longtime F1 rainmaker. Briatore now takes over Oakes’ duties (at least for the foreseeable future).

If you’re getting déjà vu, you’re not alone. Oakes becomes the latest in a growing list of Alpine Team Principals to exit the revolving door in the last 24 months, joining Otmar Szafnauer and Bruno Famin in the club of short-lived tenures.

Doohan Out, Colapinto In

Following a rocky start to his full-time campaign, marked by a DNF in Miami and an earlier crash in Suzuka, Jack Doohan has been rotated out. Franco Colapinto will take his position on the grid for the upcoming Imola Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old Argentinian is no stranger to high-pressure gigs. He stood in for Williams last year, scoring points in Azerbaijan and Austin, but also endured crashes in São Paulo and Vegas. He’s young, fiery, and fearless, exactly what Alpine seems to be looking for.

“As part of an ongoing assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds,” read Alpine’s statement. “Franco Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix onwards.”

“Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races. I’ve stayed sharp, and I’m ready. I’ll give it my all alongside Pierre,” added Colapinto.

For Jack Doohan, the announcement hits hard. After being fast-tracked into the main race seat at the tail-end of 2024, expectations were sky-high. But seven races in, he’s struggled to match Pierre Gasly. Costly incidents and inconsistent pace have left team bosses with tough questions.

“Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take,” Doohan admitted in a heartfelt statement. “But I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. I’ll continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can.”

He now returns to his role as Alpine’s Reserve Driver.

The decision to rotate race seats mid-season is always risky. But Briatore sees method in the madness. “The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different,” he said. “2026 is crucial. We need a complete and fair assessment of our drivers to maximise our ambitions next year.”

Alpine’s playing the long game. With a competitive car expected in the coming seasons and new engine regulations on the horizon, the team is clearly weighing its options and looking for a future-proof lineup.

All eyes now turn to Imola, where Colapinto will make his Alpine debut amid the emotionally charged backdrop of a triple-header.

Photo Credits: All images used in this article belong to the official Formula One Content Pool

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Alpine Singapore has just unleashed a beast that’s rewriting the rules of track-focused performance; the new Alpine A110 R.

Now, it’s not every day that you get to witness the birth of a legend. But at this year’s Singapore Grand Prix, Alpine Singapore orchestrated an exclusive rendezvous with Estaban Ocon and Jack Doohan from BWT Alpine F1 Team to make it happen.

Now, let’s dive into what makes the Alpine A110 R the talk of the town. The moment that sheet comes off, you’re greeted by an abundance of carbon fibre components.

Built on a lightweight aluminium chassis, the A110 was already a featherweight contender, but the A110 R takes things to a whole new level. Engineers managed to shed another 34 kilograms, bringing the total weight down to an astonishing 1,082 kilograms.

The bonnet, front splitter, side skirts, roof, rear ‘window,’ rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and even the 18-inch rims are all crafted from this lightweight material, reminiscent of what you’d find on an F1 race car.

But weight reduction is just part of the story. The A110 R boasts a special aero package that not only reduces weight but also generates an extra 29 kilograms of downforce at top speed. That means when you’re tearing through corners at breakneck speeds, this car remains balanced and in control. Plus, drag has been trimmed by 5%, allowing the A110 R to hit a top speed of 285km/h.

Under the hood, it packs the same punch as the Alpine A110S, thanks to a 4-cylinder 1.8-liter turbocharged engine churning out 296 bhp at 6,300 rpm and 340 Nm of torque from just 2,400 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

The result? A blistering century sprint in just 3.9 seconds, making it the first Alpine to crack the four-second barrier.

And let’s not forget the handling department. The A110 R sits 10 millimetres lower than the A110 S. Adjustable shock absorbers mean you can drop it another 10 millimetres for that ultimate track experience.

The anti-roll bars have been beefed up by 10% in the front and 15% in the rear, while the suspension springs are 10% stiffer. All these tweaks add up to an even sharper, more stable ride. And if you’re the type who wants every detail just right, there’s a 20-click ring to fine-tune the shock absorbers for a personalized driving experience.

The A110 R rolls on sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tires wrapped around carbon fibre rims crafted by Duqueine. These rims aren’t just about looks; they improve brake cooling in the front and reduce drag at the rear, all while shedding 12.5 kilograms of weight.

Inside, the weight loss program continues. The A110 R swaps out leather for microfiber fabric and trades traditional door handles for red straps. But the pièce de résistance is the carbon fibre race-inspired bucket seats.

Safety? That’s covered too with 6-point competition harnesses ensuring optimal support for both driver and passenger. And here’s a quirky twist – there’s no rear-view mirror. With the rear window replaced by an opaque carbon fibre panel and the cabin sealed off from behind the seats, it’s a feature that has no place here.

With the Alpine A110 R, it’s clear that every ounce of effort has gone into creating a track weapon with one goal in mind – to dominate the racetrack while still being a certified road warrior.

So, the big question – how much for this adrenaline-pumping masterpiece? The Alpine A110 R comes with a price tag of $528,800, and that’s before you add the cost of COE.

It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those who crave the thrill of the track and the open road, it’s worth every penny. This is Alpine’s magnum opus, and it’s here to set hearts racing and records tumbling.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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