Jack Doohan’s 2025 Formula 1 season with Alpine came to an abrupt halt after just six races, as the team decided to replace him with reserve driver Franco Colapinto. This unexpected move, announced early in the season, stunned many F1 followers, especially given Doohan’s promising rise into the sport. The decision, which took place only months after Doohan’s promotion to the main race seat, has sparked intense debate about the pressures and challenges faced by young drivers entering the highly competitive Alpine environment.
Doohan’s dismissal follows a series of difficult races, highlighted by a crash during the opening lap of his home grand prix in Australia and multiple incidents that hampered his ability to score points. These setbacks came amid rumors and speculation that began well before the 2025 season kicked off, with Colapinto’s presence at Alpine fueling widespread talk of a potential mid-season driver swap. Colapinto, initially with Williams, moved to Alpine as a reserve driver, sparking assumptions that he was groomed to replace Doohan if needed.
The Alpine outing for Jack Doohan began promisingly when he was confirmed as a race driver last August and given a late-season run replacing Esteban Ocon ahead of Abu Dhabi. However, the rookie’s start to 2025 quickly became fraught with misfortune. Beyond his Australian crash, Doohan collided with rivals and suffered a heavy crash in Japan during practice. Although there were glimpses of potential—such as a solid performance in Bahrain—doomed strategies and unfortunate events, including a first-lap clash with Liam Lawson in Miami, compounded a tough campaign for the young Australian driver.
In contrast, Isack Hadjar, racing for the Red Bull-affiliated Racing Bulls team, has experienced a markedly different trajectory this season. Despite an early crash on his F1 debut in Australia, Hadjar quickly secured his footing, scoring five points in six races and contributing the majority of his team’s total points. The French driver’s ascent has been credited, in part, to the supportive environment of Racing Bulls and the absence of immense pressure at the start of the season—factors that Hadjar himself highlighted in candid comments.
Hadjar told reporters at Imola, emphasizing the importance of solid backing from his team.
His remarks underscore the contrast in atmospheres surrounding Hadjar and Jack Doohan, who reportedly faced a heavy burden of expectations and relentless speculation from the very beginning.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, further stirred the situation with ambiguous comments ahead of the season, which many interpreted as signaling trouble for Doohan. These amplified rumors only increased pressure on the young driver, who found himself under intense scrutiny and early criticism. Hadjar criticized the swift judgment passed on Doohan, stating,
The move to replace Jack Doohan after such a brief run puts a spotlight on the volatility within Formula 1 teams when drivers struggle to meet performance expectations amid fiercely contested seats. Alpine’s decision also raises questions about the long-term development of young talent, suggesting that even promising drivers can find themselves swiftly discarded in a sport where results are paramount and patience is limited.
For Doohan, this dismissal means a crucial interruption in his F1 career just as he was gaining valuable experience. The Australian talent now faces a challenge to regroup, potentially focusing on testing roles or opportunities elsewhere to prove his capabilities. Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto’s promotion signals Alpine’s desire for immediate results, betting on their reserve driver to stabilize their campaign.
As Alpine moves forward without Jack Doohan behind the wheel, the ramifications of this turbulent decision will likely ripple through the paddock. Drivers, teams, and fans alike will watch closely to see if Doohan can bounce back from this setback or if Alpine’s harsh judgement marks a premature end to his time in the top tier of motorsport. Ultimately, this episode highlights the brutal pressures and unpredictable nature that define Formula 1 careers, especially for emerging talents navigating their way through one of the world’s most demanding sports.
