Reports suggest that the Alpine Formula 1 team is evaluating whether to replace Australian driver Jack Doohan for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Franco Colapinto is reportedly being considered for a potential return to the grid.
Doohan, who is competing in his first full F1 season in 2025, has been under scrutiny, particularly since Alpine brought in Colapinto as their reserve driver. The 22-year-old rookie is yet to score any championship points.
His performance at the recent Miami Grand Prix added to the pressure. He was eliminated early in Sprint Qualifying last Friday and retired from the main race on Sunday following a collision with Racing Bull`s Liam Lawson on the opening lap.
Sources indicate that Alpine is currently assessing Doohan`s future with the team and is expected to make a final decision within this week, prior to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, scheduled for May 16-18, which kicks off the European part of the season.
Alpine has chosen not to comment on the speculation.
Team principal Oliver Oakes did not attend the usual media debrief after Sunday`s race in Miami. However, during a press conference the previous Friday, when asked about Doohan driving in Imola, Oakes stated: “Yeah, as it is today, Jack is our driver along with Pierre. We`ve been pretty clear on that. We always evaluate, but yeah – today, that is the case.”
He also added that Doohan “needs to continue doing a good job” and acknowledged that “it`s natural that there`s always speculation there.”
Since his F1 debut with Alpine in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last December, Doohan has participated in seven races without scoring points. His best finish to date is 13th place at the Chinese Grand Prix.
He has also been involved in two significant accidents this season: a crash during his home race in Australia at the season opener and another incident during Friday practice in Japan.
Aside from his retirements in Australia and Miami, Doohan finished 17th (lapped) in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. All of Alpine`s seven points this season have been earned by Pierre Gasly, through a seventh-place finish in Bahrain and a point in the Miami Sprint.