What Alpine are now planning to do with Jack Doohan if Franco Colapinto switch is confirmed

The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to see its second driver change already. Jack Doohan could be out of Alpine before the next race at Imola.

The Aussie’s F1 career was in jeopardy before he had even stepped into Alpine’s car. Not long after being confirmed for 2025 as Esteban Ocon’s replacement, Flavio Briatore expressed his interest in Williams talent Franco Colapinto.

Impressing in the final nine races of 2024, the Argentine joined the Enstone-based outfit as a reserve driver on a long-term contract. This put pressure on Doohan to perform in 2025, something he has arguably struggled to cope with.

While his pace to teammate Pierre Gasly has been strong for the most part, the Aussie has been hampered by numerous accidents. Two massive crashes in Australia and Japan have also proved costly for Alpine financially.

Doohan outqualified Gasly for the first time at the Miami Grand Prix, but retired after a first-corner collision with Liam Lawson. This latest incident leaves the 23-year-old still without a point after the first six races.

Ted Kravitz noticed Doohan being ‘consoled’ in Miami as his difficulties with stringing a weekend together persisted. Rumours about a switch with Colapinto ahead of the next race at Imola have intensified after his latest crash.

Alpine plan to keep Jack Doohan on board if Franco Colapinto replaces him

The Aussie’s situation has not been helped by his team creating the noise surrounding Colapinto and his future, which team principal Oliver Oakes has admitted. It was believed that Doohan would be given until the summer break to prove his worth.

However, after Miami, Alpine are now considering dropping Doohan. His alleged six-race contract would now be up after last weekend – his exit would likely confirm its existence.

This would go against what Briatore said about Colapinto in Miami, as he stressed the Argentine would be Alpine’s reserve driver after the race. But the former Benetton and Renault boss has made it clear of his intentions to bring the 21-year-old into a full-time seat.

Alpine are considering Paul Aron as an option to replace Doohan, but Colapinto is the likely candidate to take over. Many will now be wondering what will happen to the Aussie if he is to lose his F1 seat.

According to a report by ESPN, Doohan will remain with Alpine ‘in some capacity’ if Colapinto is promoted for the rest of the season. The 23-year-old has been with the team’s junior setup since 2022 and has provided vital mileage in the simulator and TPC tests.

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Does Jack Doohan deserve more time at Alpine?

Doohan’s first six races in 2025 have not gone smoothly, with multiple accidents putting a dampener on his encouraging pace throughout a weekend. However, these mistakes are surely to be expected from a rookie.

Furthermore, his possible replacement also proved crash-prone at Williams last year, with some Alpine insiders not being keen on Colapinto. Doohan has been showing signs of improvement, evidenced by outqualifying Gasly in Miami, and with more time in the car, it will only get better.

But it seems that he will not be afforded that chance, with Colapinto waiting on the sidelines for an opportunity. Briatore insists Doohan is not under pressure at Alpine – his outburst after his SQ1 exit in Miami suggests otherwise.

Damon Hill reacted to Doohan’s situation, stating that drivers ‘need better contracts’ in F1. As aforementioned, his exit before the next race would give evidence to the fact that he was only on a deal for six Grand Prix at Alpine.

While nothing has been confirmed yet, it does seem Briatore will be getting Colapinto into the car, much to the disagreement of team boss Oakes, who wants to give Doohan another chance to prove himself.