Is This The End of Jack Doohan's F1 Dream?

The confirmation of Franco Colapinto joining Alpine for the 2026 F1 season appears to signal the end of Jack Doohan's hopes for a full-time racing return with the Enstone operation. After dedicating himself to the team and making his F1 debut, the Australian now faces a challenging future with the top tier of motorsport seemingly out of reach.

Why it matters:

Jack Doohan's situation highlights the brutal nature of the Formula 1 driver market, where even talented and dedicated drivers with team backing can find their dreams curtailed by strategic decisions and intense competition. His story reflects the precarious balance between performance, loyalty, and the cutthroat business of securing a seat in F1.

The Details:

• Unceremonious Exit: Doohan, who made his F1 race debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix subbing for Esteban Ocon, was widely expected to be Alpine's choice. However, rumors of Franco Colapinto's signing began even before Doohan's debut, eventually culminating in Colapinto's confirmation for 2026.
• Dedication and Praise: Doohan put his F2 ambitions on hold in 2024 to support Alpine, particularly in simulator work, earning high praise from race drivers Ocon and Pierre Gasly for his pace and efforts.
• Academy's Legitimacy: As a product of the Alpine Academy, Doohan's potential promotion would have legitimized the program after previous incidents, like Oscar Piastri's departure.
• Undermined Position: The signing of Colapinto, a direct rival for the drive, publicly undermined Doohan's position at a critical stage of his career, despite public rhetoric supporting him.
• Professional Conduct: Throughout the saga, Doohan maintained his professionalism, continuing his duties without speaking ill of the team, even after Colapinto took his drive.

What's Next:

With the F1 door seemingly closing, Doohan, who will be 23 next season, must now consider alternative paths to reignite his racing career. A move to Super Formula is a strong possibility.

• Super Formula: This Japanese series offers a highly competitive environment with cars positioned between F1 and F2 in terms of performance. It would allow Doohan to get back behind the wheel in a high-level open-wheel category.
• Alternative Motorsport: Should Super Formula not lead back to F1, it could serve as a stepping stone to other motorsport disciplines such as GT or sports car racing, or even a niche career in Japan.
• Harsh Reality: Doohan's situation mirrors that of other talented drivers like Zhou Guanyu, who struggled to secure an F1 seat despite competitive performance. While his F1 career lasted only seven races, he achieved what many never do, making it to the pinnacle of motorsport.