Ralf Schumacher now insists £1.5m-a-year driver is ‘not good enough for Formula 1’ after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Formula 1 is a cut-throat business and time isn’t always on the side of any driver who isn’t at the top of their game.

Liam Lawson discovered this sooner than anybody when Red Bull decided to swap him with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races in 2025.

The first five Grand Prix weekends of the 2025 F1 season have been a whirlwind, with McLaren establishing themselves as the quickest team in the paddock, but with the threat of Max Verstappen looming large in their mirrors.

Mercedes have impressed, with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli stepping up much faster than even his biggest fans would have expected from what was a testing campaign in Formula 2 last year.

F1’s midfield is closer than ever, with four points separating the bottom four teams, and Haas and Williams battling to be the best of the rest.

However, with the teams below the big four so close together, it’s also allowed fans and pundits to quickly draw conclusions about who’s doing a good job, and who’s underperforming.

Former driver Ralf Schumacher has delivered his verdict that one current F1 star might not be cut out for this level of racing.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Ralf Schumacher suggests Alpine driver Jack Doohan is ‘not good enough for Formula 1’

Schumacher was talking with journalist Peter Hardenacke on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast and reflecting on the first five races of 2025.

Speaking about the situation at Alpine involving Jack Doohan and reserve driver Franco Colapinto, Hardenacke said: “I have heard from Colapinto’s side, that is, from Argentina, where the funds were requested are apparently not there.

“Well, that’s at least the impression I got from someone who is close to the South American media.

“What is your impression? Just from a sporting perspective, has Jack Doohan been able to prove himself in the five appearances that he’s had this year?”

Schumacher responded: “I don’t want to say it quite as harshly as Dr. Marko said that he’s a Class C driver.

“He is not a Class C driver, certainly, he’s a good driver, but, in my opinion, not good enough for Formula 1.

“It is still a bit early of course, and he has a very experienced teammate in Gasly, who is also settled into the team and is receiving support.

“That’s why it’s maybe a bit harsh and unfair, but I would say that in relation to the other rookies, you can see that he’s someone who might not necessarily be competing for the world championship at some point, so to speak.

“And if the money doesn’t come in from Colapinto, then I don’t think he will be exchanged for the time being, because I hear Doohan also has a sponsor worth €10m [£8.56m] in the bag, and that has to be paid out somehow.

“I can imagine that he will survive somehow, but Flavio is always good for a surprise.”

READ MORE: Who is Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan? All to know from his girlfriend to dad

Jack Doohan given stay of execution by Alpine after tricky start to the 2025 F1 season

Doohan – who is on a £1.5m-a-year contract – has found himself in a much more difficult situation than many of his fellow rookies.

He was thrown into the deep end at the final race of 2024 after Esteban Ocon was released ahead of his move to Haas.

Reports that Doohan only had a five-race contract then surfaced, meaning that he had to immediately hit the ground running.

A big crash on the opening lap of the Australian Grand Prix didn’t help his cause, although the likes of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz also failed to keep their cars on track that day.

Doohan’s crash in practice at the Japanese Grand Prix caused concern when he left his DRS open going into the first corner, but his underlying pace has been close enough to Gasly’s to give Alpine hope.

It’s believed that Doohan has until the summer break to save his seat, but Schumacher doesn’t believe the Australian is cut out to ever race at the front of the grid in Formula 1.