Alpine Considers Driver Change for Imola
Alpine is currently reviewing Jack Doohan’s standing with the team and may consider a driver change ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 race in Imola.
Miami Grand Prix Incident
Doohan’s race at the Miami Grand Prix ended abruptly on the first lap due to a collision with Liam Lawson. Doohan made early contact while braking for Turn 1 and then attempted to maneuver around Lawson, which led to the incident.
Start of a Challenging Season
This marks another setback in Doohan’s disappointing start to his rookie season, which initially showed promise in terms of pace. However, it has been plagued by various incidents: a crash in the season-opening race in Australia, penalties in both the sprint and grand prix in China, and a serious crash during Friday practice in Japan, culminating in two first-lap eliminations within six races.
Struggles and Opportunities
Despite achieving his first qualifying position ahead of teammate Pierre Gasly, Doohan’s inability to deliver consistent performances and capitalize on his potential raises questions about his future. He is one of four drivers yet to score points in 2025, along with Fernando Alonso, Lawson, and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Pressure from Colapinto’s Signing
Doohan’s position has become precarious following Alpine’s signing of Franco Colapinto from Williams as a test and reserve driver for 2025. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive advisor, is a strong advocate for Colapinto, stirring internal debate on whether to continue allowing Doohan to develop or to give Colapinto a chance.
Future Prospects
Although Alpine initially indicated they would give Doohan until summer to prove himself, recent developments suggest that a change could be imminent, possibly before the upcoming triple-header starting at Imola. Alpine has refrained from commenting on the speculation, with team principal Oliver Oakes stating that currently, Doohan remains the driver alongside Gasly.
Preparing for Imola
As preparations commence at Alpine’s Enstone base for the next races, Doohan remains optimistic. “It was great to outqualify my teammate and feel confident in the car,” he remarked after the Miami race, noting small victories amid the setbacks and emphasizing the focus on future races.
