In a dramatic turn of events within the Formula 1 paddock, Jack Doohan has officially been replaced by Franco Colapinto at Alpine, following a series of disappointing performances that have raised eyebrows and sparked controversy. The announcement was made on May 7, 2025, just hours after the resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes, marking a tumultuous week for the French team.
Doohan, who has struggled to find his footing since making his F1 debut, failed to score any points in his first six races of the season. His performance peaked with a 13th-place finish in Miami, but a first-lap crash in the same race effectively sealed his fate. The 22-year-old Australian's replacement comes as part of Alpine's plan to rotate their driver lineup over the next five races, with a reevaluation scheduled before the British Grand Prix in July.
In a statement, Alpine acknowledged the need for a fresh approach, citing the competitive nature of the current season as a driving factor behind the decision. "Having reviewed the opening races of the season, we have come to the decision to put Franco in the car alongside Pierre for the next five races," said Flavio Briatore, who has stepped in as team principal after Oakes’ departure. "With the field being so closely matched this year, and with a competitive car, we see the need to rotate our line-up."
Doohan's journey in F1 has been tumultuous. After a promising career in junior categories, including a stint in Formula 2, his transition to the top tier has been rocky. His struggles were exacerbated by a series of misfortunes, including a crash in the opening race at his home Grand Prix in Australia and a series of lackluster finishes across the opening rounds of the season. In Bahrain, he was on course for points before a safety car period ruined his strategy, forcing him to settle for 14th place. His performances have been consistently overshadowed by his teammate, Pierre Gasly, who has outperformed him significantly, leading their head-to-head battles 6-2 in qualifying and 5-1 in race finishes.
In response to the news of his demotion, Doohan expressed pride in achieving his lifelong dream of becoming an F1 driver. In a heartfelt statement, he acknowledged the challenges he faced and expressed gratitude to Alpine for their support. "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," Doohan stated. "Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing. That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team to achieve and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those."
Oscar Piastri, a fellow Australian and current McLaren driver, voiced his support for Doohan amidst the upheaval. Piastri, who himself made a successful transition from Alpine to McLaren, stated, "If it is the end of the road for Jack, he can be very proud of firstly making it to Formula 1. It’s not an easy thing, especially coming from Australia – there’s a lot of hard decisions along the way. If he has had his final race, I think hold your head up high, you’ve been an F1 driver, and no one can take that away from you."
Mick Doohan, Jack's father and a legendary figure in motorcycle racing, also expressed his discontent over the decision to demote his son. He took to social media to highlight the disparity in performance between Jack and Gasly, showcasing that while Gasly has accumulated seven points, Doohan has yet to score. "Jack has faced challenges, but he has shown potential that deserves recognition," Mick stated, highlighting the need for better support for young drivers in F1.
The decision to replace Doohan comes amid a backdrop of instability at Alpine, with Oakes’ resignation adding to the uncertainty. Briatore's return to the helm of the team has raised questions about the direction Alpine is headed, especially given his controversial past and the significant changes he has already implemented. The team is believed to have paid €4.5 million to secure Colapinto from Williams, who is expected to bring not just talent but also valuable sponsorships to the team.
Colapinto, who previously raced for Williams, will now partner with Gasly, and the upcoming races will serve as a critical evaluation period for both him and the team. His promotion has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans and commentators questioning the decision to replace a rookie so early in the season. However, Briatore remains adamant that the move is in the best interest of the team's future.
As the F1 circus heads to Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Colapinto as he steps into the spotlight and on Doohan as he returns to his role as reserve driver. The next five races will not only determine Colapinto's future with Alpine but could also reshape Doohan's career trajectory in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
In conclusion, while Jack Doohan's time in the race seat may have come to an abrupt halt, the support from peers like Piastri and the lessons learned during this challenging period could serve him well as he navigates the next steps in his racing career. With the ever-changing dynamics of Formula 1, his journey is far from over, and many will be watching closely to see how he responds to this setback.
