Alpine boss, Oliver Oakes has dismissed claims that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan in the forthcoming grand prix at Imola.

The Imola speculation follows a 'hot mic' incident involving Horacio Marin, the CEO of YPF, Argentina's state oil company which backs Colapinto, who, following a TV interview, was heard to say that the former Williams driver will replace the Australian in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

"Look, I saw it like everyone else," said Oakes, when asked about the claim. "I think it was a sponsor from Argentina off-camera giving his view on Franco, when he's going to be in the car.

"Obviously I'm sure there's a lot of people in Argentina who'd like him in the car this Sunday," he joked. "I think we've been pretty open as a team that that's just noise out there, and Jack needs to continue doing a good job.

"But I think obviously it's natural that there's always that speculation there," he admitted.

Asked to definitively confirm that Doohan will retain his seat, Oakes said: "Yeah, as it is today Jack is our driver along with Pierre. I think we've been pretty clear on that. I mean, we always evaluate it, but today that is the case."

Meanwhile, Marin has since explained his comment.

"What I'm saying is that I hope he races at Imola. And if that happens, he'll call me.

"How am I supposed to have the information if I'm the president of YPF, not Colapinto's representative?" he added. "I have an extraordinary relationship with him, but we don't talk all day long."

All that aside, Doohan probably did himself no favours, certainly in the eyes of Flavio Briatore, when he lashed out after failing to make it out of SQ1.

The Australian and his teammate were released simultaneously for their last runs, however in his efforts to avoid his teammate Doohan failed to use enough lock to make the turn out of his garage and had to be pushed back. As a result he failed to get out in time, as did Yuki Tsunoda who was among those behind the stranded Alpine.

"You know man, that's not acceptable, not acceptable," said the Australian over his radio. "That is not acceptable. If you're going to send (Gasly) after me, you have to make sure he's ready, or before me. I can't turn out then turn in because he's going to run into me. And then you guys put me out of Q1. That's a joke."

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