Jack Doohan’s camp will be raging when they hear the real reason Alpine are set to keep Franco Colapinto

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Franco Colapinto is set to remain with Alpine beyond this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, according to a report on Thursday. Colapinto’s initial five-race contract was about to expire.

Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan ahead of the Emilia Romagna GP last month. Like his predecessor, he hasn’t scored a point so far.

The Argentine has only reached Q2 in one of his first four races, and even then, a crash at Imola prevented him from taking part. He hasn’t finished a race higher than 13th.

But according to The Race, Colapinto is safe for now. He will continue to be evaluated on a race-by-race basis.

The former Williams driver showed some promise in Canada last time out when he outqualified and outraced Pierre Gasly for the first time.

Alpine have realised they need to improve their car – not axe Franco Colapinto

It’s hard to argue that Colapinto has offered a meaningful improvement on Doohan. Thus, the Australian may feel he was unfairly subjected to a higher standard.

But The Race’s report reveals that Alpine have made an important realisation. Currently bottom of the constructors’ championship, they’ve concluded that improving the car must be the priority.

If and when the A525 is more competitive, they will conduct a closer inspection of their drivers’ performances. But another change isn’t seen as a solution right now.

This is clearly ‘unfortunate’ for Doohan, who operated under the ‘same circumstances’ but didn’t enjoy the ‘same patience’. Denied the chance to return to the cockpit, his camp will surely be raging.

Jack Doohan’s only hope of returning to the Formula 1 grid

Doohan hasn’t given an interview since Alpine announced their driver swap. But his father, legendary motorcycle racer Mick, appeared to fire a veiled dig at Colapinto.

Doohan Sr described Alpine as a ‘customer team’, potentially a reference to the huge sums Colapinto brings in through his sponsors. That may be what separates the two drivers, whose results have been similar.

In reality, Doohan is unlikely to race for Alpine again, even though he remains on the books as a reserve driver. He will need to look elsewhere if he wants to revive his F1 career.

Doohan has been linked with Cadillac, albeit tentatively. They could be tempted by the chance to sign a driver who impressed in the junior categories before entering a chaotic environment.