As the 2025 Formula One season intensifies, Alpine finds itself at a critical crossroads regarding its reserve driver, Jack Doohan. The French outfit, already embroiled in a turbulent season marked by internal leadership changes and lackluster on-track results, is now reportedly reassessing its commitment to the young Australian for the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. With pressure mounting from multiple directions, Doohan’s prospects of securing a race seat hang in delicate balance.
Jack Doohan’s Role Under Scrutiny at Alpine
Jack Doohan, son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, has long been considered one of Alpine’s brightest prospects. As a member of the Alpine Academy, he has dutifully served as the team’s reserve driver while waiting for his shot at a full-time F1 seat. However, recent developments suggest that the Enstone-based squad may be cooling its interest in fielding Doohan during the Imola weekend.
According to insiders, Alpine’s senior management is divided over the Australian’s readiness and whether the timing is right to test him under competitive conditions. The team had been evaluating options to give Doohan a Free Practice 1 (FP1) outing or even more prominent involvement, but the window may be closing fast.
Alpine’s Internal Unrest Impacting Driver Decisions
The uncertainty around Jack Doohan’s role isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Alpine has recently undergone significant changes at the executive level. Following Laurent Rossi’s departure and Bruno Famin’s controversial stint as interim team principal, the arrival of new leadership has caused a re-evaluation of team strategies—including the driver development program.
This reshuffle has inadvertently affected Doohan’s trajectory. There’s a growing sentiment within the team that new leadership may prefer to re-focus Alpine’s efforts on its existing F1 drivers—Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon—or scout externally for proven talents who can offer more immediate performance boosts.
Imola: A Strategic Fork in the Road
Imola is not just another race in the calendar—it’s a benchmark circuit. Narrow, high-speed, and unforgiving, it is not ideally suited to testing out new talent without comprehensive preparation. The strategic risk of introducing a relatively inexperienced driver like Doohan at a technically demanding venue has caused Alpine to reconsider their initial intentions.
The team had initially viewed the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as a potential proving ground for Doohan to showcase his capabilities in a competitive FP1 session. But given the unforgiving nature of the circuit and Alpine’s fragile performance position in the Constructors’ Championship, pragmatism may triumph over experimentation.
Pressure from Alpine Academy and External Candidates
Another factor complicating the situation is Alpine’s growing stable of junior drivers and potential external recruits. With Formula 2 sensation Victor Martins also knocking on the door, and external talent like Mick Schumacher and even Nyck de Vries lurking on the fringes of F1, Doohan is no longer Alpine’s undisputed next-in-line.
The internal debate is reportedly growing louder: should Alpine double down on Doohan, or pivot towards talent with a more consistent performance curve? His mixed results in Formula 2 and the absence of dominant metrics compared to past academy graduates like Oscar Piastri are becoming harder to ignore.
Alpine’s Long-Term Driver Strategy in Flux
It’s clear that Alpine is operating without a settled long-term driver strategy. While Pierre Gasly has shown flashes of brilliance and Esteban Ocon remains a steady performer, neither driver is under a long-term unbreakable contract. Rumors persist that Ocon could be on Aston Martin or Haas’ radar for 2026, and Gasly has been open about aspirations beyond Alpine should the team fail to progress.
Doohan, therefore, could be part of a broader plan—or he could be sacrificed as Alpine reshapes its future around different priorities. The decision to potentially bench him at Imola signals a possible shift away from internal development to short-term competitiveness.
Jack Doohan’s Statement: Confidence Amid Uncertainty
Jack Doohan has maintained a calm and composed front despite the noise surrounding his place in Alpine’s immediate plans. Speaking ahead of the Emilia-Romagna weekend, he stated:
“I’m always prepared to step in when needed, and I continue to work closely with the team to be race-ready at all times. If the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready. If not, I’ll keep pushing from the background.”
While his professionalism is commendable, the silence from Alpine’s side has only fueled further speculation.
What It Means for the 2025 Driver Market
If Alpine does choose to sideline Doohan at Imola, the ramifications could be substantial. It could signal a shift away from Academy loyalty, and also hint at incoming moves in the 2025 driver market. Alpine may seek a seasoned driver to inject experience, particularly if they fall further behind in the Constructors’ standings.
For Doohan, it would mean reassessing his options. Teams like Williams and Haas have shown interest in nurturing young talent and could be realistic alternatives for the Australian if Alpine’s doors begin to close.
Conclusion: Critical Juncture for Both Alpine and Doohan
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix may prove to be a defining chapter in Jack Doohan’s Formula 1 journey. While nothing has been officially confirmed, Alpine’s indecision is telling. Whether it’s a cautionary pause or a sign of deeper doubts, one thing is clear—Doohan’s future with Alpine hangs in the balance, and the outcome at Imola could either solidify his F1 ambitions or push him to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Alpine, for its part, must weigh its short-term race-day strategies against its long-term vision. In a sport where timing and momentum define careers, both team and driver are running out of margin for error.
