The Renault-owned Alpine Formula One team yesterday confirmed that Argentine Franco Colapinto would replace Jack Doohan for the next five races, starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Australian Doohan, 22, son of motorcycle great Mick, failed to score a point in six races this season and one at the end of last season.
“We have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre [Gasly] for the next five races,” said executive adviser Flavio Briatore, who is set to take over as team principal after Ollie Oakes resigned on Tuesday.
Photo: AFP
“We continue to support Jack at the team, as he has acted in a very professional manner in his role as a race driver so far this season,” Briatore said. “The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different, and after this time period we will assess our options.”
Alpine signed Colapinto from Williams as a reserve driver before the start of the season. He raced nine times for Williams last year as replacement for the US’ Logan Sargeant and scored five points, with a best finish of eighth in Azerbaijan.
“I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races,” the 21-year-old said. “I have stayed sharp, and I am as ready as possible... I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results alongside Pierre.”
Doohan said he would always be grateful to the team for giving him a shot at Formula One.
“Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing,” he said. “For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals.”
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday delivered his first two-homer game of the season and had six RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers poured it on with five long balls in a 19-2 victory over the visiting Athletics. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who left no doubt by taking a 13-2 lead following a seven-run third inning. Muncy and Kim Hye-seong each had three hits for Los Angeles. Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer led off a bullpen game by allowing two runs in four innings. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1) finished with four scoreless innings after he
RSS