In a shocking turn of events, Australian driver Jack Doohan's brief Formula One career with Alpine is set to come to an end before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, following a string of disappointing performances and a disastrous early retirement at the Miami Grand Prix. Doohan, who has yet to score a single point in his six races this season, is reportedly being replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who had previously impressed during his stint with Williams.
Doohan, the son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, was promoted to a race seat for the 2025 season after being named in August 2024. However, the pressures of the role became apparent early on, with persistent rumors swirling about his future after Alpine signed Colapinto as a reserve driver before the start of the season. The 22-year-old rookie faced mounting scrutiny as he struggled to match the performance of his teammate Pierre Gasly, who has scored all of Alpine's points this season.
After a series of underwhelming results, including a best finish of 14th in Bahrain and two retirements, Doohan's fate was seemingly sealed following his collision with New Zealander Liam Lawson on the opening lap of the Miami Grand Prix on May 4, 2025. This incident was the final nail in the coffin for Doohan, who had already been under pressure to demonstrate his worth to the team.
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes had expressed support for Doohan earlier in the week, stating, "As it is today, Jack is our driver along with Pierre [Gasly]. We’ve been pretty clear on that. We always evaluate, but yeah, today, that is the case." However, after the Miami race, reports emerged indicating that Doohan had been informed of his impending replacement by Colapinto, who had previously raced nine times for Williams, scoring five points with a best finish of eighth in Azerbaijan.
The decision to replace Doohan has not been without controversy, as many within the F1 community have criticized Alpine for their handling of the situation. The timing of the change, just seven races into the season, has drawn backlash, with some suggesting that Doohan was never given a fair chance to prove himself. Despite showing flashes of potential, including outqualifying Gasly in Miami, his overall performance fell short of expectations.
Doohan's struggles began at the season opener in Australia, where he crashed out on the first lap, followed by a disqualification in China that saw him finish 13th. He also suffered a heavy crash during Free Practice 2 in Japan, leading to costly repairs for the team. His average finishing position of 15.6, compared to Colapinto's 10.6 from last season, has further fueled speculation about his future.
Colapinto, who has significant financial backing and is regarded highly by Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore, is expected to step into the race seat at Imola, which marks the beginning of a critical triple-header for the team. The decision to promote Colapinto is seen not only as a performance-based move but also as a strategic one, given the growing popularity of F1 in Argentina.
Doohan's situation highlights the cutthroat nature of Formula One, where performance is paramount, and the margin for error is razor-thin. Despite being a promising talent, Doohan's inability to secure points and his involvement in multiple crashes have left him vulnerable to being replaced. The upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be a pivotal moment for Alpine as they seek to improve their standings, currently sitting ninth in the constructors' championship.
As the F1 community awaits official confirmation of the driver change, Doohan's future remains uncertain, though he is expected to stay involved with the Alpine team in some capacity. The harsh realities of the sport have left many wondering what could have been for the young Australian had he been afforded more time and support to develop within the team.
Looking forward, Doohan expressed optimism about the upcoming European races, stating in a team review, "We have the week ahead to reset and work to prepare for the upcoming triple-header as we head into the start of the European season." However, with Colapinto poised to take his place, it remains to be seen how this transition will impact both drivers and the Alpine team as a whole.
In conclusion, while Jack Doohan's tenure at Alpine may be coming to a sudden end, the competitive nature of Formula One continues to evolve, with teams constantly seeking the best talent to secure their positions in the championship. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will serve as a significant test for both Colapinto and Alpine as they aim to turn their season around.
