Alpine F1 Team Principal Oliver Oakes took the unusual step of openly recognizing the role his team has played in creating speculation surrounding driver Jack Doohan's future. The admission came following the young Australian's disappointing debut race at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2025, where he crashed out on the opening lap amid challenging conditions.
Doohan, who is the son of Australian motorcycling legend Mick Doohan, started the race after turning heads during practice and qualifying. He managed to outpace his experienced teammate, Pierre Gasly, finishing surrounded by promising potential. Qualifying solidly, he was set up for what many hoped would be an impressive home race. Yet, on the wet surface of Albert Park, everything unraveled as his A525 spun off the track, ending his race almost as soon as it began.
Reflecting on the circumstances leading up to the Australian GP, Oakes did not shy away from acknowledging the pressure his team has placed on Doohan amid rumors linking reserve driver Franco Colapinto to his seat. “I think it’s fair to say we’ve caused a lot of the noise,” Oakes stated, admitting the unwarranted chatter has been exacerbated by Alpine's own handling of the situation. “I think we haven’t put him in the best position there,” Oakes continued.
This public acknowledgment is rare for F1 team principals, who usually deflect responsibility during press engagements. Throughout the weekend, whispers about Doohan's future lingered, amplifying the struggle for the rookie, who would have been counting on home support but faced heightened expectations instead. Oakes’ comments shed light on the internal dynamics, showing both empathy and the harsh reality of F1 where performance is closely tied to job security.
“We’ve got 900 people who depend on us to make the right choice for the team,” Oakes added, justifying the pressure placed on drivers. He reflected on the broader circumstances of the F1 series and reminded everyone involved of the stakes at play.
The opening laps of the race proved treacherous as heavy rain hit. Doohan spoke candidly about his crash, indicating he wasn’t fully aware of the conditions until he reviewed the incident post-race. “I didn’t really understand what happened, to be honest, until I got back,” he said. He speculated on whether the white lines or cold intermediate tires contributed to the mishap, admitting, “it just seemed as I upshifted to fourth I lost the car.”
Despite the early setback, both Doohan and Gasly emphasized their determination to bounce back. “We’re going to regroup, keep our heads high. We’ve had a strong package this weekend,” Doohan claimed, showing resilience following what many would see as devastating news for his debut. He is already focused on the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix scheduled for the following weekend.
Gasly echoed this optimism, having just edged past his rookie teammate only to finish frustratingly 11th due to poor weather conditions. “We thought we were doing the right choices by staying out,” said the Frenchman. The driver, who saw himself potentially fighting for points, had to adapt after the forecast worsened, resulting in pitting for intermediate tires. “It was a bit of a lottery… just shame it didn’t come our way,” he lamented. Yet, he reaffirmed his belief, “I’m confident we’ll be in the mix” for the next race, highlighting the potential shown by the Alpine duo throughout the weekend.
The circumstances of the race, particularly the fact only two out of six rookies finished, were not lost on Oakes, who noted, “it wasn’t like [Doohan] made a mistake. He was just genuinely caught out.” The team principal encouraged Doohan to shake off the disappointment and encouraged him to focus on upcoming challenges.
Looking beyond the crash, Oakes lauded Doohan’s mentality. “He is just a tough kid as well. You can see nothing seems to faze him,” he observed. This attitude is likely to serve Doohan well moving forward. He is aware of the scrutiny and speculation, and yet maintains his resolve. Oakes noted, “You’ve got to perform no matter what’s thrown at you,” reminding Doohan not to shy away from the pressure.
The upcoming Chinese Grand Prix marks another opportunity for Doohan to prove himself and silence the critics. The adapting conditions and nature of the track may be challenging for rookies like him, but if the early weeks of the season are any indication, Doohan's grit may set him apart as he proves why he belongs on this prestigious stage, occupying one of the 20 seats on the Formula 1 grid.
The impact of Oakes’s candidness about the situation speaks volumes, as it highlights the internal struggles within the team as they navigate the high-pressure world of Formula 1 racing. For Doohan, this next race isn't just another opportunity; it's a chance to silence the critics and reclaim his narrative as he navigates the challenges of being both rookie and under the spotlight.
