Jack Doohan’s F1 future is already up in the air (Image: Getty)
chief Flavio Briatore has refused to rule out dropping mid-season after reports emerged that is waiting in the wings to replace the young Australian if he struggles in his debut year.
Doohan became the first Alpine academy driver to graduate into the F1 team when he was announced as ’s replacement in 2024. The 21-year-old impressed team principal Oliver Oakes after spending the year as test and reserve driver, and will now get an opportunity to go head-to-head with .
However, before he had even climbed behind the wheel of an Alpine car, the 21-year-old’s future was up for debate. Reports emerged towards the end of the 2024 campaign claiming that Briatore’s head had been turned by Colapinto’s performances for Williams.
Briatore’s latest comments seem to back up these concerns. “The only certain thing is death,” he told Le Parisien. “We start the year with Pierre and Jack, I guarantee it. After that, we’ll see during the season. I have to help the team reach a situation where it can achieve results.
“The driver is the one who has to finish the work of the almost one thousand people behind him. Everyone works for just two people. And if there is a driver who is not making progress, who is not bringing results, he will be changed.”
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Doohan made his debut for Alpine in Abu Dhabi (Image: Getty)
Earlier this year, Briatore went public with his admiration for Colapinto, who scored points in two of his first four races in F1 with Williams. “I’m interested in any driver who is fast,” he told Auto Motor und Sport.
“Colapinto surprised everyone. But we have contracts with Gasly, Doohan and Aron for next season. If there was an opportunity to get Colapinto for 2026, you have to think about it.” Fortunately for the Alpine chief, the Argentinian racer is yet to be tied down to a full-time drive and faces a year on the sidelines at Williams in 2025.
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Meanwhile, Doohan is looking forward to his rookie season despite the speculation. The Gold Coast-born driver debuted in the 2024 season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, keeping the car clean where more experienced heads failed.
“I really feel Jack deserves a lot of credit this weekend for blocking out all that noise and delivering a solid weekend,” team principal Oakes said in Abu Dhabi. “It’s a testament to him, really. Aside from, you know, keeping his nose clean and showing a bit of speed and able to handle everything, he’s really done a really good job.”