Doohan's Alpine F1 Comeback Hopes Thwarted for 2025 Season Finale

Jack Doohan's aspirations for a Formula 1 return with Alpine in the final three races of the 2025 season have been dashed. Despite securing financial backing, the opportunity to reclaim his seat has been closed, with Franco Colapinto now expected to complete the season.

Why it matters:

Doohan's sidelined status highlights the cutthroat nature of F1 driver contracts and team politics. His inability to regain the Alpine seat, even after being unfairly replaced earlier in the season and securing funding, underscores the challenges young drivers face in establishing a foothold in the sport. This decision also provides clarity on Alpine's current internal driver strategy, favoring stability with Colapinto.

The Details:

• Early Replacement: Doohan was dropped by Alpine F1 boss Flavio Briatore after only six races in 2025, replaced by Franco Colapinto, whom Briatore brought from Williams. Colapinto's multi-year test and reserve deal signed in December immediately put Doohan under scrutiny.
• Unfair Dismissal: The change in May was widely viewed as unfair to Doohan and premature, given his limited time to prove himself, having only debuted at the 2024 Abu Dhabi season finale.
• Contradictory Statements: Alpine initially framed Colapinto's stint as an "evaluation" that left the door open for Doohan's return. However, Briatore later contradicted this, despite being quoted in the original press release.
• Doohan's Pursuit: Doohan was informed post-summer break that he had chances to regain his seat for the final three rounds, contingent on securing financial backing and Colapinto's performance.
• Funding Secured: Doohan's team reportedly sourced sufficient funding to satisfy Briatore's requirements.
• Colapinto Stays: Despite Colapinto's earlier struggles and a heavy crash in a Pirelli test, he is now expected to complete the season. Key backer Mercado Libre has reportedly locked in financial support for the remainder of the year, and Briatore is satisfied with Colapinto's recent progress.

Between the lines:

Doohan has been effectively sidelined despite expectations of a seat rotation. He has not participated in Alpine's old-car testing program, and his simulator work has been limited. While he attends races as a reserve driver, his involvement is minimal. This suggests a lack of interest from Briatore in reinstating Doohan, pushing the 22-year-old to explore options outside Alpine.

What's next:

• 2026 Decisions: Alpine's plans for 2026 are unclear, with a decision expected in November. Doohan still views an Alpine race seat as his preferred option but is actively exploring opportunities with teams like Cadillac, Williams, Haas, and Sauber.
• Colapinto's Position: Colapinto's incumbent status and strong backing from Latin America give him a significant chance to secure his seat long-term. His performance has improved since the summer break, out-qualifying and finishing ahead of Gasly three times in five events, despite a controversial team order incident in Austin.
• Potential Reserve Roles: For Doohan, a test and reserve role is the most likely outcome for 2026, either with Alpine or another team, given the current state of the driver market. This could offer better long-term prospects than his current situation at Alpine.