Briatore continues to defend his choice to replace Doohan with Colapinto

11:03, 06 Jun

byOlly Darcy

Flavio Briatore has continued to defend the decision to replace Franco Colapinto with Jack Doohan at Alpine.

After just six races, the Australian was replaced by the Argentine, with Colapinto brought in to the French team as the reserve driver for the 2025 season after leaving Williams after 2024.

There has been a lot of talk about how long the 22-year-old will have to prove himself at Alpine. Originally, it was said by the French team that he will have until the British Grand Prix, with his performances up to then examined to see whether we would be handed the second seat alongside Pierre Gasly.

Briatore during the press conference for the Spanish Grand Prix together with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Briatore defends Doohan replacement

But, in conversation with the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Serra, Briatore still stands by his decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto.

"I did the same when I decided to give a young Fernando Alonso a chance instead of the more experienced Jenson Button," he explained.

"The British press was furious, but I was right. A manager always stands alone in big decisions. Only later does one realise it was the right choice."

Briatore has had lots of success in terms of wins and titles in the pinnacle of motorsport with Benetton and later Renault, hoping to also help Alpine reach the top.

"I have managed to win seven world titles in Formula 1. After the first one, I sat alone in the motorhome for six minutes. Outside, journalists were shouting. And all I thought was: damn, you've just won the world championship..." the flamboyant Italian explained.

Alpine still searching for a team boss

While Briatore has many years of success at the top level of management in Formula 1, the French team are still searching for a team boss after Oliver Oakes' resignation, with Briatore saying he does not see himself as the head honcho at Alpine.

After this year's Miami Grand Prix, Oakes resigned. There were various rumours that his resignation was due to a disagreement between the former Hitech team boss and Briatore, specifically about whether Doohan or Colapinto should take the second Alpine seat.

However, both parties denied any conflict. A few days later, Oakes was in the news again when his brother William was arrested near the Hitech GP headquarters in Silverstone.

Now, Alpine are actively seeking a suitable successor, and while Briatore temporarily takes on some of Oakes' duties, he stresses that no hasty decisions will be made: "We are looking. For now, nothing has changed.

"We don't want to make mistakes. I'm willing to take the time for that. But as soon as we have decided who the new team leader will be, we will let you know."

The Alpine top executive then emphasised his gratitude to the man who made his return to Formula 1 possible: "Stefano Domenicali, who made my return to Formula 1 possible, is an extraordinary manager from whom I learn every day."

This article was written in collaboration with Mitchel van de Hoef