Jack Doohan was thrown in at the deep end for his Formula 1 debut with Alpine at the season-ending 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
With little time to prepare, the Aussie’s inaugural event was a little disappointing but still a proud moment for his family.
Doohan spent 2024 on the sidelines after his final season in Formula 2, putting in work as Alpine’s reserve driver.
It paid dividends with the reward of a one-year contract to drive for the team from 2025 alongside Pierre Gasly.
Doohan must match Gasly to save his Alpine seat or risk opening the door for new reserve driver Franco Colapinto to take his seat.
Doohan has been told that Fernando Alonso is his reference driver in 2025 as Alpine boss Oliver Oakes wants him to learn from the very best in a bid to get him up to speed quickly.
Jack Doohan may be Alpine’s ‘best option’ over Franco Colapinto
Valtteri Bottas has backed the promising Doohan to succeed at Alpine but it has to be remembered that he is under pressure.
Signing Colapinto was a statement of intent from the team, who now have a suitable replacement lined up if Doohan’s spell doesn’t go to plan.
The 22-year-old’s first race as a full-time driver will be his home event at the Australian Grand Prix in March.
READ MORE: Franco Colapinto used two words in first Alpine interview that will worry Jack Doohan
Speaking at the Autosport awards ceremony, David Croft backed Doohan and said that the Aussie may be Alpine’s best option for now.
“If they are looking for that extra two or three percent, they might feel that Franco Colapinto is the man to step in,” he said.
“However, Franco has got pressure himself because, after a blistering start, it didn’t always go according to plan in his subsequent races. He might not be the best option and Jack Doohan might be the best option.”
Could Alpine sack Jack Doohan before the end of the 2025 F1 season?
Doohan’s Alpine contract only runs for six races before he is at threat of being shipped away if his standing in the drivers’ championship isn’t good enough and his performances don’t satisfy bosses.
Although he could be subject to a mid-season swap, Doohan may have a clause which prevents Colapinto from replacing him in 2025.
After waiting in the Alpine academy for so many years, he deserves more than six races to prove that he has the calibre to stay at the highest level.
READ MORE: The extra lengths Alpine went to during post-season testing to prepare Jack Doohan for the 2025 F1 season
Learning from a race-winning teammate in Gasly who has been with the team for two seasons now should also help him understand a lot more about the current car and its development direction.
David Coulthard believes Doohan has an advantage over other 2025 rookies as he has a lot more track experience.
If his rivals do have deficiencies, they’re likely to show up earlier on in the season where they face a steep learning curve in a bid to get up to speed quickly.
