Jack Doohan experienced a challenging race at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, finishing in the P17 position where he initially started. Over the weekend, he expressed disappointment, attributing the result to Alpine’s peculiar strategy and lack of pace. Despite his struggles, Doohan is determined to focus on the remainder of the season, amid rising speculation about his future in Formula 1.
During qualifying in Jeddah, Doohan faced a tough session as he exited early in Q1, securing P17. In contrast, his Alpine teammate, Pierre Gasly, managed to reach Q3, starting the race in P9. However, luck was not on Gasly’s side, as he collided with Yuki Tsunoda during the opening lap, ending his race prematurely.
The crash resulted in a safety car deployment, prompting Alpine to make a strategic decision to pit Doohan for new hard tires, anticipating reduced degradation. This decision, however, turned unfavorable, as Doohan had to pit again after just 32 laps, losing critical track positions. Moreover, the lack of pace forced him to occasionally slow down to cool his car.
Reflecting on the race weekend, Doohan acknowledged his ongoing struggle to score points this season. With the mid-season approaching, he faces mounting pressure to secure better results or risk losing his seat. Reportedly, underperforming could lead to Alpine considering a replacement, possibly with reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who has shown promise and brings valuable sponsorship.
Despite the pressure, Doohan remains focused on the current season rather than speculation regarding his future. With Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, reportedly favoring Colapinto, Doohan is urged to demonstrate his true potential soon to secure his place in the team.
