Alpine Parts Ways with Driver Jack Doohan

Alpine has officially ended its relationship with driver Jack Doohan via a mutual agreement, concluding his four-year journey with the team. The Australian, who graduated from the Alpine Academy to a race seat, competed in seven Grands Prix before being dropped and now becomes a free agent for the 2026 season.

Why it matters:

• The move marks a definitive end to Doohan's journey with the team that nurtured him from its junior program, a significant career setback for the young Australian.
• For Alpine, it represents a clean break from the driver decisions that contributed to a difficult 2025 season, allowing the team to fully reset its driver lineup for 2026.
• It underscores the high-stakes, cutthroat nature of Formula 1, where a race seat is never guaranteed, even for a homegrown talent.

The details:

• Debut & Opportunity: Doohan made his F1 debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a replacement for Esteban Ocon.
• Short-Lived Stint: He retained the seat for the start of the 2025 season, competing in six more races before being replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto.
• Reserve Role: Despite being dropped from the race seat, Doohan was kept on as a reserve driver for the remainder of 2025.
• Mutual Separation: The recent "mutual agreement" officially terminates all driving services, with the team thanking him for his "commitment and professionalism" over the past four years.

What's next:

• For Doohan: The 22-year-old is now a free agent and will be looking to secure a drive for 2026, whether in Formula 1 or another top-tier motorsport series. His options may include a reserve driver role at another team or a race seat in a different championship.
• For Alpine: The French team is now fully focused on finalizing its 2026 driver lineup alongside Pierre Gasly. This move clears the way for them to sign a new partner from outside their current roster.