Jack Doohan’s association with Alpine has come to an end following a mutual agreement that releases the Australian driver from his contract ahead of the 2026 season. The 22-year-old’s departure marks a disappointing conclusion to a partnership that began during his Formula 2 career through the Alpine Academy and briefly saw him compete at the highest level of motorsport. His exit follows a challenging eight-race stint in 2025 that failed to secure his long-term future with the Enstone-based operation.
From academy prospect to race seat and back
Doohan’s journey with Alpine stretched across four years, beginning with his development through the team’s junior programme. The Australian earned his Grand Prix debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi season finale, becoming the first Alpine Academy graduate to race for the senior squad. That appearance gave him valuable mileage ahead of what was meant to be his first full campaign in Formula 1.
The promise of that opportunity, however, quickly unravelled during the opening phase of the 2025 season. Across eight qualifying sessions, Doohan managed to outpace teammate Pierre Gasly on just two occasions. More concerning was the performance gap itself—in half of those sessions, the deficit exceeded six tenths of a second, a margin considered substantial in modern Formula 1’s closely contested midfield battles.
Performance shortfall leads to mid-season demotion
Race day results offered little reprieve. Doohan’s strongest finish came in 13th position, a tally insufficient to convince Alpine’s management that he warranted continued backing in the cockpit. The team had already begun assembling contingency plans by signing multiple reserve drivers, including Franco Colapinto, whose own credentials had attracted attention following impressive substitute appearances with Williams the previous year.
Alpine’s decision to promote Colapinto to the race seat and return Doohan to reserve duties arrived as a significant professional setback. The Australian acknowledged the difficulty of the demotion publicly, describing it as hard to accept. The swift nature of Alpine’s move underscored the brutal reality of Formula 1, where performance windows remain narrow and patience limited, particularly for teams battling in the championship‘s lower reaches.
Super Formula opportunity emerges amid uncertainty
Doohan now shifts his focus toward alternative racing opportunities outside Formula 1. Reports have linked him to a potential Super Formula campaign with Kondo Racing in Japan’s premier single-seater series. That prospect, however, remains unconfirmed following a troubled test session at Suzuka, where Doohan suffered three separate incidents at the same Degner 2 corner, raising questions about his immediate adaptation to the category.
Despite the testing difficulties, Super Formula represents a credible platform for drivers seeking to rebuild their careers. The championship has served as both a competitive environment and a proving ground for racers attempting to demonstrate the skills that might earn them another chance at the highest level.
Alpine confirms separation with professional statement
In its official announcement, Alpine acknowledged the mutual nature of the agreement and thanked Doohan for four years of service both on and off the circuit. The statement emphasised the driver’s commitment and professionalism throughout his tenure, whilst confirming the team’s support for his pursuit of opportunities elsewhere in motorsport.
The separation allows Alpine to finalise its driver strategy for 2026 without contractual complications. With Pierre Gasly expected to continue and speculation surrounding the second seat, the team now possesses complete flexibility in shaping its line-up as it navigates ongoing competitive challenges and prepares for significant technical regulation changes arriving in 2026.
What this means going forward
Doohan’s departure underscores the unforgiving nature of Formula 1, where brief opportunities must be seized decisively. His struggles illustrate how quickly careers can shift, particularly when performance fails to meet expectations within compressed timeframes. For Alpine, the decision reinforces a pragmatic approach to driver selection as the team seeks competitiveness amid a difficult period.
Whether Doohan secures the Kondo Racing drive or explores other racing categories remains uncertain. His immediate priority will involve regaining confidence and demonstrating the ability that once earned him Alpine Academy backing. At 22, time remains on his side, but the Formula 1 door has closed for now, requiring success elsewhere to potentially reopen it in future seasons.
