Jack Doohan‘s aspirations of continuing with Alpine for the remainder of the F1 2025 season have reportedly been bolstered by a significant €10 million sponsorship deal. This claim comes from former F1 racer Ralf Schumacher, who noted that Doohan, despite criticism, is set to remain in the spotlight for at least the first half of the season.
Doohan’s position has been the subject of speculation, particularly with rumors of him potentially being replaced by Franco Colapinto, the promising Alpine reserve driver. Starting the season uncertain of his future, Doohan has nevertheless shown commendable pace alongside teammate Pierre Gasly, despite not finishing higher than 13th in the opening rounds.
Reports indicated that Doohan’s deal originally covered just six races, which would include next weekend’s Miami Grand Prix. However, it seems likely that the 22-year-old will retain his seat until at least the summer break in August, extending his stint to the 14th race of the season in Hungary. Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko previously dismissed Doohan as a C-grade driver, adding to the intensity of the situation.
On Sky Germany’s Backstage Pit Lane podcast, Schumacher hinted at the importance of the sponsorship deal for Doohan’s current standing. He acknowledged Doohan’s potential, stating, “I don’t want to say it quite as harshly as Dr Marko, who said that he’s a Class C driver. He is not a Class C driver, certainly, he’s a good driver. But, in my opinion, not good enough for Formula 1.” Schumacher pointed out the difficulty of competing against experienced teammate Gasly and suggested that the sponsorship deal is a factor helping Doohan maintain his position.
The possibility of Colapinto replacing Doohan is further complicated by sponsorship dynamics. Colapinto made an impressive appearance for Williams last season and recently tested for Alpine, even showcasing pace at Monza. However, factors such as engine settings and track conditions have led to debates over his time comparisons with fellow reserve Paul Aron.
Aron himself has caught Alpine’s attention, likely participating in some FP1 sessions this season, which adds another layer to the team’s internal dynamics. These developments indicate that Alpine is carefully navigating through a pool of talent, with financial backing playing a vital role in driver decisions.
The stakes are high for Jack Doohan as he strives to remain competitive amid skepticism. His continued presence in Alpine until the summer break provides an opportunity to prove his merit beyond financial support, potentially altering perceptions. As the season progresses, the influence of financial backing on drivers’ careers in motorsport remains a topic worthy of consideration.
