Jack Doohan’s prospects of returning to the Formula 1 grid appear bleak following his departure from Alpine after just six races, experts suggest. The Australian lost his seat after the Miami Grand Prix as Alpine replaced him with Franco Colapinto, signaling a difficult road ahead for Doohan’s F1 ambitions.
Limited opportunity and fierce competition restrict Doohan’s comeback chances
Doohan was given a short window to prove himself with Alpine, joining the Enstone-based team and competing in six races without scoring any points. Despite this, he demonstrated glimpses of speed but ultimately failed to secure a lasting place. The arrival of Franco Colapinto as Alpine’s test and reserve driver appeared to foreshadow Doohan’s removal, as Colapinto’s promotion was widely anticipated.
Colapinto earned recognition during a nine-race spell with Williams last year, catching the eye of Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore. Although Alpine initially stated Colapinto would join on a five-race deal, Briatore later dismissed this point amid the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend, further fueling the sense that Colapinto’s position was assured.
Johnny Herbert voiced his skepticism about Doohan’s chances to rejoin F1 racing. He highlighted the scarcity of available seats and the competitive environment consisting of talented young drivers like Isack Hadjar, who are also vying for opportunities. Herbert explained the challenge Doohan faces in outshining not only emerging drivers but also established names such as Sergio Perez, whose situation could lead to another seat closing.
That would sadly be the end of it. Then he goes either sports car racing or, if he’s willing to take another punt, IndyCar. As far as it is at the moment, I don’t think anyone else would take him.
—Johnny Herbert, former F1 driver and analyst
Franco Colapinto faces high expectations in his Alpine return
Colapinto’s return to Formula 1 has been challenging, as his qualifying session ended in a severe crash and his race performance lacked impact, including an incident where he ran off track. This has placed substantial pressure on the young driver to deliver strong results swiftly.
According to Herbert, Colapinto’s main objective now is to match or outperform his Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly. The current standard demands that a driver consistently outperform their teammate, and Colapinto is expected to meet this benchmark without exception.
That’s all you’re up against. And that’s all he’s got to do. And he’s got to do it not just every now and again, he’s got to be able to do it consistently. There’s no other avenue he can take other than beating his teammate.
—Johnny Herbert, former F1 driver and analyst
The broader implications for Doohan’s racing career
With Formula 1 seats limited and competition intensifying, Doohan’s path back onto the grid looks increasingly unlikely. As Alpine’s plans pivot around Colapinto and remaining drivers, Doohan may have to reconsider his options within motorsport, potentially exploring opportunities outside of F1 such as sports car racing or IndyCar, if willing to take a different direction.
The current situation highlights the harsh realities of racing at the highest level, where young drivers face immense pressure to deliver immediate results or risk losing their place entirely. Doohan’s exit from Alpine marks a significant moment in his career, underscoring the challenges that come with sustaining a seat in Formula 1’s competitive environment.
