Australian motorsport hopeful Jack Doohan's long-awaited Formula 1 career has been cut short after just 150 days in a race seat. The Alpine F1 Team has confirmed the Queenslander's departure, ending a partnership that began in the team's academy.
A Dream Deferred and a Swift Exit
It was a journey 13 years in the making for Jack Doohan, son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, to secure a coveted spot on the F1 grid. After progressing through Alpine's ranks as a test and reserve driver, he was promoted to a race seat for the start of the 2025 season. However, his tenure as a full-time driver lasted a mere six Grands Prix.
Alpine opted to replace Doohan with Franco Colapinto after the Australian struggled to make an impact. Doohan's best result was a 13th-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix in March. His debut season was marred by a first-lap crash at his home race, the rain-affected Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, and another retirement in Miami, which proved to be his final outing for the team.
The Official Split and Looking Ahead
Despite being under contract, Alpine announced on Tuesday that both parties had reached a "mutual agreement" not to continue for the 2026 season, allowing Doohan to "pursue other career opportunities." The team stated he remains "an integral part of the team" in his previous roles as test and reserve driver.
Doohan expressed pride in achieving his F1 dream but acknowledged the disappointment. "Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one to take because, as a professional driver, I want to be racing," he said. This desire for a competitive seat is believed to be a key factor in the split.
What's Next for the Australian Talent?
At just 22 years old, Doohan's racing career is far from over. He is strongly expected to be announced as a Super Formula driver in Japan, following off-season tests. Links to the Haas F1 Team, which has a partnership with Toyota, also provide a potential future pathway back to the pinnacle of motorsport.
The switch to Colapinto did not dramatically improve Alpine's fortunes, with the team finishing last in the constructors' championship. While the Argentine was more consistent, avoiding crashes in his 17 races, he also failed to score a point, with an 11th-place finish his best result.
Doohan's performance was measured against teammate Pierre Gasly, who scored all of Alpine's 22 points. In the three races both finished, Doohan was lapped between 0.17 and 0.50 seconds slower per lap than the experienced Frenchman.
