In a dramatic turn of events within the world of Formula 1, Jack Doohan has been replaced by Franco Colapinto at the Alpine team, just six races into the 2025 season. The decision comes amid a backdrop of intense scrutiny and personal challenges faced by the young Australian driver, who had been under immense pressure from online threats and the expectations of a demanding fanbase.
Kym Illman, a well-known photographer in the F1 circuit, revealed that Doohan had been dealing with disturbing online threats primarily from Argentine fans who were advocating for the promotion of their compatriot, Colapinto. Illman described how the situation escalated to such a degree that Doohan felt compelled to hire around-the-clock security during the Miami Grand Prix, which ultimately turned out to be his last race with the Renault-owned Alpine team.
“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,” Illman shared on Instagram. “Out of all the drivers, it’s really only Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri that have full-time security.”
Doohan's family, including his father Mick Doohan, a five-time motorcycle world champion, and his girlfriend Ebony Zippora Gold, were reportedly concerned for their safety as the threats intensified. “People had discovered his personal email address and were sending email threats which resulted in Jack, his girlfriend, and even his father holding real concerns for their safety in Miami,” Illman added. “I’m certain Franco wouldn’t be endorsing any of that behaviour from what is a minority of his fanbase.”
Despite these challenges, Doohan maintained a professional demeanor throughout the ordeal. Following the announcement of his replacement, he expressed gratitude for his time with Alpine, stating, “I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula One driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream. Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing.”
Oscar Piastri, a fellow Australian and current championship leader, expressed sympathy for Doohan, acknowledging the pressures that come with being a rookie in F1. “Coming to F1, especially as a rookie under pressure, I do feel sorry for him in some ways,” Piastri said. “It’s not been the easiest start to the year for him and I know how hard it is to get to F1 in the first place.”
The decision to replace Doohan was made shortly after Alpine's team principal, Oliver Oakes, resigned and was succeeded by Flavio Briatore, who has a storied history with the team, having led them to championship victories in the past. Briatore was instrumental in signing Colapinto from Williams as a reserve driver earlier this year, and now he aims to revitalize the struggling Alpine team, currently sitting ninth in the constructors' standings.
Colapinto, who joined Alpine in January, will partner with Pierre Gasly for the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The team has given Colapinto the next five races to prove himself before another evaluation takes place prior to the British Grand Prix in July. However, former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has expressed skepticism about Doohan's chances of returning to the grid, noting that he has not been on the radar of any other teams.
“I think it’s going to be tough for him to land a seat somewhere else, to be honest,” Chandhok stated on Sky F1's podcast. “He came into the Alpine seat really because they lost Ocon. I don’t think Jack was on the radar of any other team before that.”
Chandhok suggested that Doohan’s best chance for a return hinges on Colapinto's performance over the next five races. “So really, I think his best option is if Colapinto struggles, and they go off and give Jack a bunch of testing and give him a chance to improve a bit more,” he added.
Doohan's performance thus far in the season has been disappointing, with his best finish being 13th, and he has yet to score any points in his seven Grand Prix races. His struggles were compounded by incidents during races, including two first-lap retirements in Australia and Miami. Meanwhile, teammate Pierre Gasly has managed a best finish of seventh and has been slightly more competitive.
In light of his demotion, Mick Doohan took to Instagram to support his son, sharing graphics that compared Jack’s results with those of Gasly, highlighting the challenges faced by both drivers in what has been a tough season for Alpine. “Jack has had a best finish of 13th in China, as well as two first lap DNFs,” Mick noted, underscoring the difficulties of their current car performance.
Despite being rotated out of the race seat, Alpine has stated that Doohan will remain their first-choice reserve driver. This news comes just weeks after a mural depicting the father-son duo racing together was completed, adding a bittersweet note to the current situation.
As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where Colapinto will take the wheel in a crucial moment for Alpine. With the team looking to turn their fortunes around, the pressure will be on both the new driver and the management to deliver results that can elevate them from their current standings.
Jack Doohan's journey in Formula 1 has been a rollercoaster, and while this chapter closes, the future remains uncertain yet hopeful for the young driver who has already achieved so much and aspires to return to the grid stronger than ever.
