No regrets: Briatore defends brutal call to drop Doohan

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore has never shied away from tough decisions, and the swift replacement last month of Jack Doohan after just six races was no exception.

The move, which shocked many Formula 1 insiders, not to mention Doohan himself, underscored Briatore’s reputation as a decisive leader unafraid to pivot when results falter.

For him, the call to demote Doohan to reserve driver after the Miami Grand Prix and elevate rookie Franco Colapinto was not just a managerial prerogative but a calculated step to steer Alpine toward a brighter future.

However, Colapinto has since failed to impress with finishes of 16th, 13th, and 15th in his three races to date with the team and a heavy crash sustained in practice at Imola. Yet Briatore is unapologetic.

The Philosophy of Swift Correction

“Mistakes are inevitable,” Briatore said in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera.

“If you’re doing things, you’re going to make them. The key is to quickly adjust your course as soon as you realise it, without letting your pride keep you stuck on the wrong track.”

That kind of swift self-correction, Briatore argued, is essential for any team with serious ambitions. In his eyes, acknowledging a misstep – such as persisting with a driver not delivering immediate results – and moving decisively is a mark of strong leadership.

“Exactly. That’s a good example,” he confirmed when asked if Doohan’s removal was part of that strategy.

“Even in the past, I decided to put a very young Fernando Alonso in the driver’s seat, back then he was just a test driver, instead of the more experienced Jenson Button.

“That decision unleashed the fury of the British press. But in the end, I was right.”

Colapinto’s Trial by Fire

Colapinto’s entry has been far from ideal. Despite Briatore calling the Spanish Grand Prix his “first real race,” the Argentine’s adaptation has been rocky. After a crash on his debut weekend at Imola, Briatore admitted the young gun’s performance has so far left much to be desired.

“He crashed right away on the first race weekend,” Briatore said. “If I was to say I was happy, that would be a lie. I’m not happy at all.”

Read also:

• Briatore: Alpine ‘prepared to take its time’ to find new team principal

Still, Briatore remains steadfast. For him, the turbulence is part of the process of building something better.

“A manager is always alone when making big decisions,” he said. “Then, over time, others come around.”

As Alpine looks to rebound from a tough start to the season, Briatore’s gamble on Colapinto –however contentious – signals a clear shift in philosophy: performance must trump sentiment, and tough calls are part of the job.

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