Argentine race driver Franco Colapinto said he “cannot be more excited” about returning to F1 after being announced as an Alpine driver for the upcoming five races.

The 21-year-old was confirmed on Wednesday as Australian Jack Doohan’s replacement after months of speculation. He will partner with Frenchman Pierre Gasly in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, returning to an F1 grid for the first time since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December 2024.

“Firstly, I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races,” he said in a communiqué released by Alpine on Wednesday. “I will work hard with the team to prepare for the next race in Imola and the upcoming triple-header, which will no doubt be intense and a big challenge for everyone.”

The Argentine added he has “stayed sharp” after working in the team’s virtual racing simulator to help them prepare the best setup for the car. He said he will do his best to “get up to speed quickly” and “deliver the best possible.”

In a video released on Instagram, Colapinto thanked both his team and fans for the support while he was away from the grid.

“I cannot be more excited about it. It’s an amazing opportunity,” he said. “Thank you all on the team for the confidence and trust to put me in that seat.”

Colapinto added he was excited to have his debut once again in Italy, given that his first race for Williams in 2024 was at Monza.

“Big thanks to all the fans and the people who have been supporting the team and myself when I wasn’t racing,” he said. “Hope you guys enjoy it, that we have some fun, and we get some good results.”

Congratulations and disappointments 

Australian driver Jack Doohan admitted the news was a “tough one.” 

“I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula One driver,” he said in the same press release that announced Colapinto’s debut. “I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream.”

He went on to add that he appreciated “the team’s trust and commitment” and that he will keep his head down and “watch with interest the next five races.”

Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, who is now in charge of the team following the resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, said they came to the decision after reviewing the opening races of the season.

“With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, […], we are in a position where we see the need to rotate our line-up,” he said. He added the team were eager to have a “fair assessment of the drivers” with their eyes on the 2026 season. 

“The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different, and after this time period we will assess our options,” he said.

Colapinto’s former team, Williams Racing, also congratulated the Argentine driver. “Great to see another Williams Racing Driver Academy graduate on the F1 grid, and we look forward to racing you in Imola,” the British team wrote on their X account.