P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine boss Briatore AXES driver for 2026
Alpine F1 boss Flavio Briatore has removed one driver from consideration as a replacement for Franco Colapinto in the Enstone team.
After Oliver Oakes’ surprising departure in May, Briatore assumed the role of team principal.
Despite Jack Doohan’s quick replacement by Colapinto, the decisions were said to be unrelated, though Colapinto hasn’t scored any points, contributing to Alpine’s last place in the constructors’ standings.
Amid upcoming regulation changes, speculation surrounds Colapinto’s potential replacement for 2026, with Pierre Gasly securing his position for the future.
As experienced drivers dwindle, former F1 pilot Zhou Guanyu and Mick Schumacher are among the remaining options for Alpine.
Briatore dismisses Schumacher’s potential return, highlighting the challenges facing young drivers like Doohan and Colapinto in a high-pressure environment.
