Formula 1 News of the Week – May 7, 2025

Hours

We’re six rounds into the 2025 Formula 1 season and the chaos shows no signs of slowing. Alpine has dominated the headlines with a bold driver switch and a major leadership shakeup that sees the return of one of the sport’s most controversial figures. Meanwhile, the paddock mourns the passing of a true motorsport icon, while preparations intensify for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the legendary Imola circuit.

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Franco Colapinto Replaces Jack Doohan at Alpine for Five Grands Prix

Jack Doohan, Rookie, Formula 1, Alpine,

Alpine has officially confirmed that Franco Colapinto will step into the race seat vacated by Jack Doohan for the next five rounds of the 2025 season. The decision, announced just days before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, comes after Doohan’s underwhelming start to the year and mounting pressure on the team to deliver results.

Colapinto, a 21-year-old talent from Argentina, first made headlines during his 2024 stint with Williams, where he became the first Argentine driver to compete in Formula 1 since Gastón Mazzacane in 2001. He impressed with solid performances, including an 8th-place finish in Baku and consistent racecraft under pressure. Alpine’s decision to bring him in reflects both the team’s faith in his potential and a broader strategy to inject new energy into a campaign that has so far fallen flat.

Doohan, meanwhile, finds himself on the sidelines for now. Once considered a cornerstone of Alpine’s future, the Australian has struggled to find pace or consistency in 2025. With zero points from the opening races and a string of poor qualifying results, the team had little choice but to re-evaluate. While Alpine insists this is not the end of the road for Doohan, it’s a critical juncture in his young career.

Flavio Briatore Returns to F1 as Alpine Team Principal Following Oakes’ Departure

If the driver change raised eyebrows, Alpine’s next announcement turned heads around the world. Team Principal Oliver Oakes has officially stepped down from his role, and in his place returns one of the most infamous figures in Formula 1 history: Flavio Briatore.

The 74-year-old Italian has been appointed as the new Team Principal of Alpine, marking his return to frontline F1 operations for the first time since 2009. Briatore is no stranger to the pressures of leading a team—he orchestrated championship-winning runs at Benetton with Michael Schumacher in the mid-1990s and later repeated the feat at Renault with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.

However, his legacy remains clouded by controversy. Most notably, Briatore was at the center of the 2008 “Crashgate” scandal, in which Renault was found guilty of orchestrating a deliberate crash to manipulate race results at the Singapore Grand Prix. The fallout led to Briatore’s lifetime ban from the sport, which was overturned by a French court in 2010.

Now, after years of operating behind the scenes and managing driver affairs, Briatore steps back into the spotlight with a mandate to overhaul Alpine’s faltering structure. His return is polarizing, but the team insists his leadership, experience, and ruthlessness are precisely what’s needed to turn the ship around.

According to Alpine insiders, Briatore’s first priorities include evaluating staffing, accelerating technical development, and continuing negotiations to bring Mercedes power units to the team for 2026.

Miami Grand Prix Extended Until 2041 in Landmark Deal

In a move that solidifies Formula 1’s North American expansion, the Miami Grand Prix has been extended through 2041. The 15-year extension marks the longest single-race agreement currently active in F1, underscoring Miami’s rising status as a cornerstone event on the calendar.

Since its 2022 debut, the Miami GP has grown rapidly in popularity, combining high-speed racing around the Hard Rock Stadium with South Beach’s unmistakable energy. The event has become a magnet for A-list celebrities, major sponsors, and global attention—not just because of its glitz, but due to its improving on-track spectacle.

F1 President Stefano Domenicali hailed the deal as a “testament to Miami’s incredible fan base and long-term commitment to the sport.” The organizers have pledged further investment in fan experience and circuit enhancements, aiming to make Miami one of the most prestigious Grands Prix of the modern era.

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Mexico City Grand Prix Extended Through 2028

Formula 1 has also confirmed that the Mexico City Grand Prix will remain on the calendar until 2028, following a new three-year contract extension. Hosted at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the race has become a fan-favorite since returning to the championship in 2015.

The venue offers a unique combination of elevation, atmosphere, and layout. Its stadium section, in particular, provides some of the most iconic visuals and crowd reactions of the season. The extension guarantees that one of F1’s most colorful and passionate events will continue to thrill for years to come.

Local hero Sergio Perez remains a key driver of the race’s popularity, and organizers have committed to maintaining the fan-first spirit that defines the weekend. With the sport’s presence in Latin America more important than ever, this extension is a vital piece of F1’s global puzzle.

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Motorsport Mourns Jochen Mass (1946–2025)

Away from the current season’s dramas, the Formula 1 world took time to reflect and pay tribute to Jochen Mass, who passed away this week at the age of 78. A beloved figure in motorsport circles, Mass was known for his grit, adaptability, and enduring contributions to racing.

Mass competed in 114 Formula 1 Grands Prix between 1973 and 1982, racing for teams like Surtees, McLaren, ATS, and Arrows. His sole F1 victory came at the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix in a race marred by tragedy, but his career extended far beyond single-seaters. Mass became a household name in endurance racing, capturing the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Manuel Reuter and Stanley Dickens for Sauber-Mercedes.

Renowned for his calm demeanor and professionalism, Mass later transitioned into a respected commentator and ambassador for the sport. His passing is a profound loss for motorsport, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of fans and racers alike.

Conclusion: Imola Awaits as the Season Tightens

As Formula 1 heads to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, the grid arrives amidst a whirlwind of changes. Franco Colapinto’s debut with Alpine and Flavio Briatore’s return to the pit wall will dominate headlines—but the action on track promises to be just as captivating.

Meanwhile, long-term stability off-track—with Miami and Mexico City locked in for the future—signals that Formula 1’s global expansion is on firm footing.

Imola, with its unforgiving corners and rich legacy, will test every team’s focus. As the title fight intensifies and mid-season upgrades start to make their mark, this could be one of the most pivotal weekends yet.

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