F1 team sponsor 'accidentally leaks' driver swap as 'debut race announced' for replacement

Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan could be set to be axed from the team after a team sponsor leaked key information, unaware his microphone was still live.

F1 will return to our screens this weekend after a two-week break, as the fastest cars in the world hit the streets of Miami.

Oscar Piastri took the lead of the driver's championship from his McLaren teammate Lando Norris after winning the Sauid Arabia Grand Prix.

While all the drama seems to be at the top one story from the lower end of the grid has dominated the headlines, and that is the curious case of Jack Doohan.

Doohan was promoted from Alpine's reserve driver for the 2025 season, however, just over a month later the French team announced the signing of Franco Colapinto from Williams.

Colapinto was one of the stars of the 2024 season after he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams from the Italian Grand Prix.

The 21-year-old's performances looked enough to earn a full-time seat for 2025 and was heavily linked to Red Bull, making his deal with Alpine raise eyebrows across the paddock.

With Colapinto breathing down his neck, Doohan's future has looked uncertain all season but it finally looks like a decision has been made making Miami the Australian's last race with the team.

Colapinto debut for Alpine leaked

This revelation came in the unexpected form of a hot mic gaffe, when Horacio Marin, president and CEO of YPF, appeared on TV news channel A24.

During the interview on Argentinian television, Marin was repeatedly asked when Colapinto would replace Doohan which he insisted multiple times he didn't know.

However, once the camera cut away Marin can be heard saying "in Imola", which follows the Miami GP on the F1 calendar.

While it is still unconfirmed what was meant by the term 'debut' in this context, Colapinto has already been behind the wheel of an Alpine during testing sessions following his move from Williams.

Franco Colapinto arriving to the paddock for Alpine- Getty

Speaking at F1 75 prior to the first race of the season, Doohan was bombarded with questions over his future and Colapinto's role in the team.

Asked if he felt undermined by Colapinto’s arrival, he testily replied: “Is that a question?

“I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver,” he reinforced.

“I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year with a long-term contract, but no I don’t [feel undermined, ed.]. Maybe I should, I don’t know. I don’t really understand how that’s a question, but definitely not.”