In a shocking turn of events, Australian driver Jack Doohan has been unceremoniously dropped from the Alpine Formula 1 team just six races into the 2025 season. The decision comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for the team, which has seen a series of controversies and a lackluster performance on the grid.
Doohan, who is only 22 years old, faced significant pressure as rumors swirled about Alpine's plans to promote reserve driver Franco Colapinto at his expense. This pressure was compounded by disturbing reports of threats to his safety, leading him to hire a 24-hour security team during the Miami Grand Prix.
"He was receiving all sorts of threats online so much so that he had around-the-clock security in Miami and was planning on keeping that security for the Brazilian Grand Prix," said leading F1 photographer Kym Illman on Instagram. The threats reportedly included abusive messages and emails sent to Doohan and his family, raising serious concerns for their safety.
Despite the turmoil, Doohan remained focused on his racing career. In an official statement following his demotion, he expressed gratitude to the Alpine team for the opportunity, stating, "I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula 1 driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream." He continued, "Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing." Doohan vowed to keep working hard and pursuing his personal goals.
The decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto, who made his F1 debut last season with Williams, was announced on May 7, 2025. Alpine confirmed that Colapinto would be paired with Pierre Gasly for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with the team adopting a rotation policy for its drivers as they assess their lineup. "As part of an ongoing assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship," the team stated.
Doohan's sacking follows a disappointing start to the season, which included a crash into fellow driver Liam Lawson during the opening lap of the Miami race, forcing him to retire. His performance has been under scrutiny, with his results lagging behind those of his teammate Gasly. According to F1 statistics, Gasly's finishes include 11th, 11th, 13th, 7th, DNF, and 13th, while Doohan's results have been less favorable, with finishes of DNF, 13th, 15th, 14th, 17th, and DNF.
Jack's father, Mick Doohan, a five-time MotoGP world champion, has publicly defended his son, posting a graphic on social media that compared the race results of Jack and Gasly. While Mick aimed to highlight the performance issues of the Alpine car, the graphic drew mixed reactions, with some fans pointing out that it only underscored Jack's struggles against his more experienced teammate.
"Mick Doohan with the receipts," one fan commented, while another noted, "He reminds them their car is the problem not his son." The sentiment reflects the frustration among fans regarding the Alpine team's overall performance, as they currently sit ninth in the constructors' standings.
As the team grapples with its challenges, it has also seen turmoil in its management. Team principal Oliver Oakes resigned this week, and executive advisor Flavio Briatore, who is also Doohan's manager, will take over the principal duties. Briatore's history in the sport includes overseeing multiple world titles, but he is also known for his controversial past, including his involvement in the infamous "Crashgate" scandal.
The upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, set to take place on May 18, 2025, will mark a critical juncture for both Doohan and Alpine. As Colapinto prepares to make his debut for the team, questions loom about Doohan's future in Formula 1. Will he have another chance to prove himself, or will this be the end of his journey in the sport?
For now, Doohan remains focused on his goals, stating, "For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals." The F1 community will be watching closely as the situation develops and as both the team and the young driver navigate these challenging waters.
