Jack Doohan, the Australian Formula 1 driver, has openly acknowledged that his position within the sport was always precarious under the strict supervision of team boss Flavio Briatore. Despite the potential arrival of Cadillac on the F1 grid in 2026, the number of full-time driver positions remains limited to 22, creating a highly competitive environment where only the most prepared have a chance to thrive. The high-pressure atmosphere has proven unforgiving to many, often forcing promising drivers out before they can fully adjust to the demands of F1 racing.
Doohan experienced this harsh reality firsthand during his brief tenure at Alpine, where he was given only seven races in the 2024 season to prove his capability. This period was marked by a sudden driver reshuffle initiated by Alpine’s executive advisor and acting team boss, Briatore, who moved Esteban Ocon early to Haas, allowing Doohan to take over Ocon’s seat for the season finale. Following that, Doohan raced alongside Pierre Gasly for the 2025 F1 championship but was again limited, receiving merely six races before Briatore replaced him with reserve driver Franco Colapinto, ending Doohan’s full-time seat prematurely.
Doohan Reflects on a Short-Lived Full-Time Drive
Flavio Briatore has openly discussed, including to Netflix’s Drive to Survive cameras, his enjoyment of making quick decisions to replace drivers who fail to perform. Doohan, appearing in the eighth season of the documentary series, revealed the intense pressures and even death threats he faced during his brief Alpine stint before losing his seat to Colapinto following the Miami Grand Prix in 2025. Now serving as a reserve driver for Haas, the same team Esteban Ocon currently races for, Doohan is seeking a fresh start away from Alpine’s unforgiving environment.
Speaking candidly with F1.com ahead of his first season with Haas, Doohan explained that his departure from Alpine was hardly a surprise, as whispers of his exit circulated well before it became official. He described an uneasy atmosphere that lingered throughout the winter before the 2025 season began, which affected his ability to focus and perform.
“At the end of 2024 there was already some chat going on, which puts a little bit of an eerie feeling and strangeness in the air, and that followed through the winter into 2025, which didn’t help the environment,”
Doohan said.
He also expressed regret about the limited time he was given behind the wheel, acknowledging that his fate seemed sealed long before the official announcement after Miami.
“Time, unfortunately… I should have had, and thought I was going to have, plenty of time in the car, but it was very, very clear that Miami was going to be my final race, so my fate was sort of decided. I was always on borrowed time, I guess, and it’s difficult to maximise things when you know what’s to come.”
The 23-year-old echoed a desire for a venue in Formula 1 where competition remains fierce but where fairness and opportunity coexist.
“To be honest, it was a big shame, but I’m trying to put that behind me, to start fresh, and it would obviously be a dream to be able to have the opportunity [to race in F1] again, in an environment that is much more… I think it should always be ruthless, but more welcoming and on an even playing field.”
Looking Ahead: A Fresh Opportunity with Haas
With his move to Haas as a reserve driver, Doohan gains a new platform after the challenging early years at Alpine. While Haas now employs two former Alpine racers—Doohan as reserve and Ocon as a main driver—the Australian hopes this transition will offer more stability and a chance to rebuild his F1 career. The fiercely competitive nature of Formula 1, combined with the demanding expectations of team leadership figures like Briatore, means every opportunity carries high stakes.
Doohan’s experience underscores the precarious nature of entering Formula 1, where talent must be matched by timing and team confidence. As the grid evolves with new teams and driver line-ups, his journey reflects both the sport’s unforgiving environment and the potential for comebacks if circumstances align more favorably.
