Jack Doohan, the Alpine F1 driver, was visibly furious after a strategic blunder by his team cost him a vital spot in the Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix on Friday. The Australian racer blamed Alpine for compromising his final lap in the SQ1 session, which prevented him from advancing to the crucial Q1 stage. This setback comes amid rising pressure on Doohan, who has yet to score points in the 2025 season and faces the threat of being replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto.
The 22-year-old rookie had shown promising pace during qualifying but has struggled to match the performance of his teammate, Pierre Gasly, over race distances. During the chaotic Sprint Qualifying session, Doohan’s frustration boiled over as Gasly was sent out ahead of him in the pit lane. This move blocked Doohan’s exit, forcing him to reverse his car at an awkward angle and ultimately ruining his final flying lap.
Doohan, clearly annoyed, explained on the team radio that he was blocked in the pit lane by “the other car,” which compromised his run. Speaking to F1.com, he described the situation as “messy” and expressed his disappointment with the team’s decision-making. His anger highlighted the tension within Alpine, as the driver struggles to deliver consistent results and secure his place on the grid.
The consequences of this blunder could be severe for Jack Doohan, who remains without points after five races and a sprint in 2025. With competition fierce and Alpine’s expectations high, further errors might push the team to consider a mid-season replacement. This incident underlines the urgent need for better strategic coordination within Alpine if they want to support their young driver and improve their results going forward.
