Jack Doohan is a week away from beginning his first full season in F1 at his home Grand Prix in Australia.
The 22-year-old will embark on the 2025 campaign with Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly. He is the first driver to be promoted from the Enstone-based team’s academy into a full-time race seat.
Doohan replaced Esteban Ocon early after the Frenchman was released from his contract, facilitating his move to Haas. The Aussie made his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but faced a difficult weekend as he qualified last and finished P15.
Jolyon Palmer felt Doohan had a ‘difficult’ race – but it could be about to get ever harder for the 22-year-old this season. Heading into the Australian Grand Prix, he is already under pressure.
Alpine signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver on a multi-year deal after his impressive performances at Williams last year. It is clear the team have the Argentine in mind for the future – and he could be in the car before the end of the season.
Doohan allegedly has a contract for only six races, giving him limited time to prove himself and save his seat. Given Alpine’s activity in the driver market in recent months, the Aussie was likely not the team’s first choice to replace Ocon.
Carlos Sainz’s manager gave Jack Doohan a ‘heads up’ that he would get the Alpine seat after his driver joined Williams
At the start of 2024, Carlos Sainz became the biggest free agent on the market after his exit from Ferrari was confirmed. The Spaniard knew he would be making way for Lewis Hamilton in 2025 before the season started.
The 30-year-old had multiple teams fighting for his signature after his win at Melbourne last year. Flavio Briatore made a big effort to sign Sainz for Alpine, but he ended up choosing Williams on a multi-year deal.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan? All to know from his girlfriend to dad
Briatore told Drive to Survive ‘everybody makes mistakes’ as he reacted to Sainz viewing Williams as better than Alpine. But as the Spaniard turned down the Enstone team, it opened the door for Doohan.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, F1 photographer Kym Illman shared a conversation Doohan and Sainz’s manager Carlos Onoro had at Spa in the paddock.
He appeared to give the Aussie a ‘heads up’ that the Alpine seat was his after Sainz signed for Williams. Illman said: “If I go back to the Spa race, I was standing with Jack Doohan in the middle of the paddock and we were chatting about his future.
“And then I noticed Carlos Onoro, who is Carlos Sainz’s manager, came out of the hospitality suite, the Alpine hospitality suite that is, stopped for a moment with Jack, chatted and then took off.
“Now I understand having watched Drive to Survive that that was a pretty pivotal moment. That’s where I think Carlos Onoro gave Jack a heads up that Jack would probably get that drive because Carlos was going to Williams.”
Ralf Schumacher thinks Jack Doohan’s career could be over after the Australian Grand Prix
With Colapinto waiting in the wings, Doohan will be under incredible pressure to deliver results from the off. With his short-term contract, the 22-year-old could be out of his seat before the summer break.
Journalist Nate Saunders has a ‘hunch’ that Colapinto will replace Doohan in Miami. The Argentine’s experience and commercial value give him a huge advantage over the Aussie.
Ralf Schumacher thinks Doohan could be done after Australia knowing how ruthless Briatore can be with his drivers. The Italian has heavily suggested Colapinto will be brought into Alpine at some point.
Martin Brundle fears Doohan will not cope with the pressure on his shoulders heading into 2025. The 22-year-old will be solely focused on his performance in the opening races as he looks to keep his F1 career alive.
Leave feedback about this