Oscar Piastri expressed his support for fellow Australian Jack Doohan after Alpine announced a surprising mid-season driver swap, promoting Franco Colapinto in place of Doohan just six races into the 2025 Formula 1 season. The change, occurring ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, sees Doohan stepping back to a reserve driver role, while Colapinto embarks on a crucial five-race audition alongside Pierre Gasly. The move follows the recent resignation of Oli Oakes as Alpine’s team principal, signaling a shift in strategy amid a challenging start to the season.
The decision raises questions about the future of both drivers, with Alpine aiming to improve its standing. So far, the team’s points hauls this year have come exclusively through Gasly, who earned a seventh place in Bahrain and an eighth in the Miami Sprint. Doohan’s demotion leaves Piastri as the sole Australian driver currently racing on the grid, intensifying interest in his response to the shake-up within Alpine’s ranks.
Speaking in an interview with Wide World of Sports shortly before the driver change was confirmed, Piastri reflected on the situation with a mixture of empathy and encouragement.
“I’ve literally just seen that the team principal has gone,”
he said, acknowledging the unfolding turmoil.
“I mean, I’ve not heard it officially that Jack’s out, but I’ve obviously seen the talk. I think if it is the end of the road for Jack, I think he can be very proud of, firstly, making it to Formula 1, you know. It’s not an easy thing, especially coming from Australia. There’s a lot of hard decisions along the way.”
He continued,
“So, if he has had his final race, then, I think hold your head up high, you’ve been an F1 driver and no one can take that away from you. So, you know, I’m sure he’ll have a successful career in whatever happens.”
Piastri’s remarks highlight a deep respect for Doohan’s achievements and the difficult realities faced by drivers in the fiercely competitive world of Formula 1.
Jack Doohan also responded thoughtfully to the announcement, acknowledging his pride in reaching Formula 1 and the challenges of his current position.
“I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula 1 driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream,”
he said.
“Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing.”
Despite his disappointment, Doohan expressed gratitude toward Alpine’s support and emphasized his commitment to the team’s goals.
“That said, I appreciate the team’s trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team to achieve and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those,”
he explained.
“For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals.”
This driver swap marks a tense and uncertain period for both Alpine and the Australian drivers involved. The team’s decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto suggests that Alpine is looking for fresh momentum and possibly new strategic directions after a slow start to the season. Meanwhile, Piastri’s poignant message underscores the emotional and professional challenges facing Doohan as he navigates this setback, while also highlighting the solidarity and camaraderie among Australian athletes in Formula 1.
The coming races will be crucial in determining whether Colapinto can justify his chance alongside Gasly and whether Doohan might regain a seat or pursue new opportunities in the sport. For Piastri, maintaining his position amid this turbulence remains vital, as he continues to carry the hopes of Australian fans and strive for success in an intensely competitive season. Overall, this shuffle in Alpine’s lineup serves as a stark reminder of the fragile and high-pressure nature of careers in Formula 1, where every decision carries significant consequences for drivers and teams alike.
