Breaking:Jack Doohan Comforted by Father as Alpine Future Remains Uncertain…read more
Young Australian’s F1 future hangs in the balance after early Miami GP exit, as Alpine eyes potential midseason driver swap with Franco Colapinto.
Jack Doohan Comforted by Father as Alpine Future Remains Uncertain
Jack Doohan’s weekend at the Miami Grand Prix ended in heartbreak, as the young Australian driver was forced to retire during the opening lap of the race. He was later seen being comforted by his father, motorsport icon Mick Doohan, in the paddock after the early exit.
Doohan, the son of five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, had high hopes going into the race weekend. However, his outing was cut dramatically short following a collision with Liam Lawson of the Racing Bulls. The incident resulted in significant damage to Doohan’s car and a puncture that ultimately forced him to retire just halfway through the first lap.
Sky Sports F1’s pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz provided insight into the situation, noting that the pressure is mounting on the young driver to deliver results. “Jack Doohan was very disappointed because he only lasted half a lap,” Kravitz explained. “He had an incident with a Racing Bull, sustained damage, picked up a puncture, and was out of the race. I saw him being consoled by his dad in the paddock.”
Doohan’s future with the Alpine F1 team now appears to be on shaky ground. Kravitz noted that although the perceived threat of fellow reserve driver Franco Colapinto had seemed to diminish in recent weeks, nothing is guaranteed in Formula 1. “Jack’s place within the team is delicate. He needed to score a point this weekend, and unfortunately, he couldn’t do it,” Kravitz added.
In the aftermath of the Miami GP, speculation has intensified around Alpine’s plans to potentially replace Doohan. Reports suggest that Franco Colapinto, who currently serves as a reserve driver for the team, may be drafted in to take Doohan’s seat at the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in two weeks. These rumours gained more traction after one of Colapinto’s sponsors hinted on social media that the Argentine driver would be making his Formula 1 debut in Imola.
Alpine has yet to officially confirm or deny these reports. However, team executive Flavio Briatore has previously indicated that Doohan’s performance would play a crucial role in determining his continuity with the team. Briatore’s comments suggested that unless Doohan began securing results, a midseason change was not off the table.
Since joining Alpine’s racing setup, Jack Doohan has yet to score a single point. His lack of performance has raised concerns, although it’s worth noting that teammate Pierre Gasly has also faced challenges. Gasly’s only points this season came from the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Sprint Race in Miami, highlighting broader issues within the Alpine camp.
As the Formula 1 calendar heads to Europe for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Alpine to see if they make a switch. For Jack Doohan, time may be running out to prove himself and secure his place on the grid.
