Jack Doohan: The Forgotten Driver of 2025
This Formula 1 season has seen Jack Doohan’s brief career characterized by fleeting moments of potential, yet he risks being remembered as the overlooked figure of 2025.
In an alternate scenario, Doohan could be competing in this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. It’s feasible he could have reclaimed his seat at Alpine as quickly as it was taken away from him, regardless of the team’s decision to replace him with Franco Colapinto for a five-race assessment.
Colapinto’s Indefinite Stay
After Colapinto was brought in, team principal Flavio Briatore quickly revised expectations, indicating that Colapinto was likely in for the long haul. Doohan remained focused, believing he could reclaim his position if Colapinto underperformed. However, at the recent Silverstone event, Doohan was still sidelined, and Colapinto now seems to have an indefinite hold on the seat—partly bolstered by a sponsorship from Claro, linked to the Carlos Slim business empire—despite lackluster results that left Doohan waiting to return.
Performance Comparison
When evaluating Doohan and Colapinto’s performances over their respective six-race stints, the results are underwhelming. Both drivers show disappointing outcomes, but Doohan has yielded more promising flashes. Averaging 15.5 in qualifying positions, he peaked at 11th in Bahrain, while Colapinto lagged slightly behind with an average of 16.7, highlighting their close yet unimpressive standings. Direct comparisons further reveal that Doohan has a slight edge over Colapinto when racing against teammate Pierre Gasly.
The Challenge of Alpine
Despite their similar performance statistics, Doohan’s pace posed a greater challenge to Gasly, something Colapinto has yet to match. Although Colapinto has not been terrible, Doohan’s demotion has seemingly come without just cause, leaving him feeling unfairly treated, especially with little to show for his time in the car.
A Tough Legacy
As it stands, Doohan is likely to finish last in the championship standings, as both he and Colapinto have failed to score points. However, Doohan’s stint at Alpine holds more potential than the final results convey. Faced with difficulties, including a challenging car and undermining management, Doohan’s performance, highlighted by moments of raw speed and a commendable work ethic, deserves more credit than he has received. His campaign was marred by critical mistakes at pivotal moments that disrupted his momentum.
Future Opportunities
The upcoming question revolves around Doohan’s second chance. Unlike Red Bull, which often recycles their drivers, Alpine has shown little interest in reinstating him. For Doohan to find a future in racing, he may need to leverage potential opportunities with teams like Cadillac, which might prefer to pair a seasoned driver with a younger talent. Despite challenges as a rookie, Doohan brings initial experience to the table, which may lend him an advantage.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Doohan’s hope lies in catching the attention of a team willing to see beyond his lackluster stats at Alpine. Though his results didn’t warrant dismissal, they lack the gravitas to secure a spot elsewhere, trapping him in an unfair reality as one of the most poorly treated drivers of the 2025 season.
