The BWT Alpine Formula One Team has confirmed the permanent departure of Australian driver Jack Doohan, formally ending his association with the Renault-owned squad.
A Short-Lived F1 Dream
Jack Doohan's journey to a full-time Formula 1 seat culminated in a 2025 drive alongside Pierre Gasly, having graduated from the Alpine Academy where he had been a member since 2022. His debut came earlier, at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, his time as a race driver proved brief and challenging.
After early incidents, including crashes at the Australian and Japanese Grands Prix, pressure mounted on the 22-year-old. The team's off-season signing of Franco Colapinto from Williams signalled a looming change under the guidance of de facto team principal Flavio Briatore. Doohan was dropped after just six races in the 2025 season, with Colapinto taking over the seat from the Imola Grand Prix onwards.
Mutual Agreement Reached
Doohan subsequently returned to a reserve driver role but, with no path back to a race seat, both parties have now settled on a clean break. Alpine stated the split was a "mutual agreement" designed to "allow him to pursue other career opportunities." The team thanked him for his "commitment and professionalism" over the past four years.
Despite Colapinto failing to score a single championship point during the remainder of the 2025 season, the Argentine has been retained for the upcoming campaign. Alpine, who finished last in the 2025 constructors' championship, have appointed Estonian driver Paul Aron as their new reserve, placing him next in line should a seat become available.
What Next for Doohan?
The focus now shifts to Doohan's future. The widely anticipated destination is Japan's premier single-seater series, Super Formula. This move has been speculated for some time, though it remains unconfirmed following a challenging test at Suzuka last year where the Australian crashed three times at the same corner.
The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship is set to begin on 8 March with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Alpine will unveil their new challenger in Barcelona on Friday, 23 January, as they aim to recover from a dismal season.
