Alpine will field Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan for the 2025 F1 season. However, that may not be the driver pairing that finishes the season.
Doohan was afforded his debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the Enstone-based outfit in place of Esteban Ocon. The Aussie was signed by the team for 2025 earlier in the year.
Ahead of his first full season in F1, the 22-year-old is already under pressure to keep his seat. Alpine have been incredibly active in the driver market already, signing Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and Franco Colapinto as reserve drivers.
Flavio Briatore is a keen admirer of Colapinto and his long-term contract suggests he wants the Argentine in the car in the future. Doohan’s alleged short-term deal with Alpine heavily hints – while the team have not publicly said so – that the Aussie will be the one to make way.
Colapinto could replace Doohan as early as Miami with speculation around the paddock suggesting the latter could be out of F1 before seasons end. If rumours about his contract are true, the Aussie has limited time to perform.
But Doohan will love what Alpine are saying behind the scenes about their 2025 challenger. It could be the confidence boost he needs.
Alpine have a ‘degree of optimism’ about the A525 after pre-season testing in Bahrain
The 22-year-old completed pre-season testing in Bahrain last week with the Alpine A525. Like his other 19 competitors, Doohan enjoyed a mostly faultless test with all 10 teams having solid reliability.
Alpine come into 2025 off the back of a great end to 2024. After scoring just 14 points from the first 20 Grand Prix, Gasly and Ocon’s double podium in Sao Paulo propelled the team to sixth in the constructors’ championship.
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The Enstone-based outfit are looking to carry the momentum into 2025 and it seems they’re in a ‘good place’ after testing. Journalist Ian Parkes sensed Alpine have a ‘degree of optimism’ with their car – this will be music to Doohan’s ears as he could have a competitive machine.
“Another really difficult team to really judge. But I think… they came out of last season in a good position,” said Parkes via RacingNews365.
“I sensed a degree of optimism from them, speaking to various people over the course of the test.
“I got a good sense that they feel they’re in a good place with that car, certainly they’re a million miles removed from where that car was12 months ago in testing which literally was nowhere or at the back of the grid.”
What Alpine blocked Jack Doohan from doing in Bahrain amid Franco Colapinto rumours
With many feeling Alpine have taken a step forward for 2025 after testing, Doohan will be eager to take advantage. Strong performances in the A525 can be possible and the team will want the Aussie integrated as best as possible.
Alpine blocked Doohan from doing one-to-one interviews in Bahrain amid the rumours Colapinto could replace him at some point in 2025. Naturally, the speculation has been a key talking point in the paddock with many demanding answers from the team.
Craig Slater says Doohan enjoyed getting punchy with the media over questions about Colapinto and his future. It has lit a fire in the Aussie to keep the 21-year-old on the sidelines.
With many teams already securing their drivers for 2026 ahead of the new era of regulations, Alpine must commit to either Doohan or Colapinto now. David Croft has urged Briatore to back Doohan ahead of the 2025 campaign.
But Briatore’s wordless hint on Doohan’s future suggests the decision has already been made. The team is very unlikely to publicly reveal their plans, but many around the world already know what is bound to happen.
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