Jack Doohan has revealed the decision to replace him at Alpine was made before the 2025 season had even began in Melbourne.
Having made his debut at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of 2024, Doohan arrived for his maiden home grand prix as the most under-pressure driver on the grid.
The belief in the paddock at the time was he had just three races to impress, or be replaced by Franco Colapinto. He was replaced after the Miami Grand Prix – the sixth race of the season.
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Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Asked by Wide World of Sports ahead of last year’s Australian Grand Prix, Doohan shrugged off the speculation, declaring he “hadn’t been thinking about any of that”.
“Because – as you all know – there’s no point thinking about rumours or commenting on them,” he said.
“I have a contract for at least this year, if not more, so I look forward to many home grand prix.
“The uncertainties, you don’t bother worrying about them anyway.”
Mick and Jack Doohan in the Albert Park paddock. LAT Images
But 12 months later, Doohan said he already knew he was going to be replaced.
He has since split with Alpine altogether, and is a reserve driver for the Haas team.
“Decisions were obviously made, (but) not when they were announced – it was a lot earlier in the year,” he said per Speedcafe.
“It was, to be honest, made before I was even jumping into the car for the first time – before Melbourne.
“So that’s when it’s a little bit more brutal when obviously there’s extreme outside measures that take control.”
It was believed at the time the hefty financial backing Colapinto brought to the team, rather than any performance issues from Doohan, was behind the desire to make the swap.
Doohan all but confirmed that was the case.
“You know, the aspect of performance counts, I completely agree with and understand that, but when it’s deeper than that, and not, let’s say, as painted as it is on paper, for sure it’s a little bit more difficult,” he said.