The Formula 1 world is reeling from a bombshell decision at Alpine that has sparked outrage and disbelief across the paddock and beyond. In a move that’s set social media ablaze, reserve driver Franco Colapinto has reportedly been sidelined, with his potential race seat handed to fellow reserve Ryo Hirakawa following a dramatic turn of events at the Japanese Grand Prix on April 5, 2025. The controversial call, made in the wake of rookie Jack Doohan’s high-speed crash during Friday’s practice, has plunged the Alpine team into a full-blown scandal, raising questions about strategy, favoritism, and the future of one of F1’s most promising young talents.

The saga began when Doohan, Alpine’s embattled rookie, smashed into the barriers at Turn 1 during FP2 at Suzuka, clocking a terrifying 185mph impact. Miraculously, the 22-year-old Australian walked away unscathed, but his A525 car was left in tatters, forcing the team to scramble. With Doohan’s participation in Sunday’s race in doubt, speculation swirled that Colapinto—Alpine’s highly touted Argentine reserve who dazzled with Williams in 2024—would step in. Fans and analysts alike saw it as a golden opportunity for the 21-year-old to prove his mettle. Yet, in a stunning twist, Alpine opted to elevate Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa instead, a decision that’s ignited a firestorm.

Hirakawa, who impressed in FP1 at Suzuka earlier that day, outpacing teammate Pierre Gasly, brings local appeal and experience from his Le Mans-winning career. But the choice to bypass Colapinto, who many believed was being groomed for a race seat, has left the F1 community stunned. Posts on X erupted with fury, with one user lamenting, “Colapinto’s been robbed—Alpine’s playing favorites!” Others pointed to Hirakawa’s solid FP1 performance as justification, but the consensus is clear: this move reeks of politics. Sources suggest team advisor Flavio Briatore, known for his ruthless tactics, may have pushed for Hirakawa to capitalize on the Japanese crowd’s support and appease sponsors, sidelining Colapinto despite his multi-year deal with the team.

For Colapinto, the snub is a bitter pill. After a breakout 2024 season where he scored points in nine races for Williams, his move to Alpine was seen as a stepping stone to a full-time seat—potentially as early as Miami if Doohan faltered. Now, with Hirakawa leapfrogging him, doubts swirl about his future. “It’s a slap in the face,” one insider told reporters. “Franco’s ready, and they’ve benched him for no clear reason.” Meanwhile, Doohan’s shaky start—crashes in Australia and a pointless China GP—only amplifies the pressure, with some questioning why Alpine didn’t seize the chance to test Colapinto’s race-day chops.

The fallout is seismic. Alpine’s leadership, already under scrutiny for a bloated reserve roster including Colapinto, Hirakawa, Paul Aron, and Kush Maini, now faces accusations of mismanagement. As the Japanese GP looms, all eyes are on Hirakawa to justify the call—and on Musk, who’s stayed silent amid Tesla’s own woes, leaving F1 fans to wonder if this scandal will ripple beyond the track. For now, Alpine’s “storm-causing” decision has turned a routine weekend into a cauldron of controversy.