Doohan Data Emerges After Fresh Track Action Amid Colapinto Pressure

RSKY1
Feb 15, 2025, 05:31 AM ET

Lewis Hamilton, 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1/Mercedes-AMG

Jack Doohan faces mounting pressure in his Alpine F1 seat as fresh data emerges from his Pirelli test at Jerez. With Franco Colapinto reportedly gaining support for a 2025 race seat, Doohan’s future remains uncertain.

Doohan Data Emerges After Fresh Track Action Amid Colapinto Pressure

As the 2025 Formula 1 season edges closer, Jack Doohan, the Australian driver for Alpine, finds himself facing mounting pressure despite not even turning a wheel in the upcoming season. After being promoted to a race seat in place of the departing Esteban Ocon, Doohan's future is already uncertain, and recent events are adding to the tension.

Jack Doohan's 2024 F1 Debut and Alpine's Driver Line-Up for 2025

In a significant step in his career, Doohan made his grand prix debut at the end of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi. He was promoted from Alpine's reserve driver position, a testament to his growing potential within the team. However, with the reshuffling of Alpine’s driver line-up, Doohan's spot for the long term remains under question.

As Esteban Ocon switched from Alpine to Haas for 2025, Doohan was thrust into the limelight, securing the vacant race seat. While the opportunity to race in F1 is a dream come true, his future with Alpine is far from secure. In fact, fresh concerns are being raised about his status with the team.

Franco Colapinto and Growing Pressure on Doohan

Pressure on Doohan intensified after a key meeting between Franco Colapinto and Alpine executive director Flavio Briatore at the Qatar Grand Prix. Colapinto, who had previously replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams, impressed during his brief stint in F1, scoring five points in his first four races. However, with Williams' driver line-up already set for 2025, Colapinto's next move appeared uncertain.

Just six weeks after the Qatar meeting, it was confirmed that Colapinto had joined Alpine as a reserve driver for the 2025 season. Briatore’s comments to Le Parisien, in which he suggested that nothing in F1 is certain except death, further fueled speculation about the team's long-term plans for Doohan. Briatore notably refrained from guaranteeing Doohan a full season with Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly.

Doohan’s Pirelli Test Performance at Jerez

Amid the swirling uncertainty, Jack Doohan took to the track for a Pirelli 2026 tyre test at Jerez, aiming to demonstrate his capabilities. Doohan completed a total of 113 laps at the wheel of an adapted Alpine A523, gathering valuable data as Formula 1 gears up for a major shake-up in 2026. The new regulations, set to overhaul chassis and power unit specifications, will usher in significant changes, and Doohan’s input is crucial for Alpine’s development in preparation for the future.

The test was shared with Mercedes driver George Russell, who posted a faster lap time of 1:17.976 compared to Doohan's 1:17.255. However, it is important to note that both drivers were on different testing programmes for Pirelli, meaning direct comparison is not entirely representative of performance.

Franco Colapinto: A Rising Star and Threat to Doohan’s Seat

As the season opener in Melbourne looms, Doohan is set to race in front of his home crowd, yet his position at Alpine continues to be questioned. Former F1 drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya, have weighed in on the situation, with Montoya suggesting that Colapinto’s promotion to a full-time race seat is already a "done deal." Montoya cited Colapinto’s growing popularity and the behind-the-scenes support that Formula 1 itself seems to be providing to help secure the Argentine’s future in the sport.

“The difficult thing about Doohan is that from the outside, it seems like the decision has already been taken,” Montoya told AS Colombia. “I think it will happen. Formula 1 is already helping for that to happen.”

Colapinto’s rise through the ranks, coupled with his potential backing from F1 itself, places increasing pressure on Doohan to prove his worth. Montoya’s comments suggest that Colapinto’s entry into the Alpine race seat could be inevitable, regardless of Doohan’s performance.

The Road Ahead for Doohan and Colapinto

As we head into the 2025 season, Jack Doohan faces a challenging battle to secure his place in the Alpine line-up. His performance during pre-season testing and throughout the season will be critical in determining his long-term future with the team. Meanwhile, Colapinto’s rise through the ranks and the backing he appears to have from Formula 1 itself could significantly alter the driver market in the coming years.

With the support of Alpine’s leadership in question, Doohan will need to deliver strong results to justify his position and fend off the challenge from Colapinto. The upcoming season promises to be a pivotal one in the careers of both drivers as they navigate the complex dynamics of Formula 1.