Jack Doohan has been sidelined from his Alpine racing seat for at least five races, with Franco Colapinto stepping in as his replacement. Although Doohan remains Alpine’s top reserve driver, his future in Formula 1 appears uncertain, with many suggesting his chances of returning to the grid are slim—leaving aficionados curious about his next moves.
At 22, this Gold Coast native faces the challenge of finding competitive opportunities for the upcoming season. The current line-ups at teams such as McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Haas, Williams, and Sauber (soon to be Audi) are already solidified until at least the year’s end. While both Racing Bulls drivers will be out of contract soon, the team’s history of fostering Red Bull junior talent makes openings there unlikely as well.
Doohan, previously a Red Bull junior driver, shifted to Alpine due to their superior testing programmes and a clearer pathway to an F1 seat, but now finds limited options. His prior experience may attract attention, considering Red Bull has tapped former talents before; however, their active junior lineup in F2 and other competitions could stifle any chance for Doohan there.
Current uncertainty surrounds Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, which runs until 2028 but is rumoured to have clauses that may allow him to depart earlier. If Verstappen were to leave—potentially to join Mercedes or Aston Martin—it could trigger significant changes across the grid, presenting new challenges and opportunities for various drivers.
Should Verstappen replace Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin, the ripple effects would potentially allow other drivers, including Doohan, some openings elsewhere. Conversely, if Verstappen joins Mercedes, it could spark a scramble for available seats throughout the paddock.
Moreover, the newly formed Cadillac team is looking to field an American driver amidst a competitive line-up, which might further diminish Doohan’s chances.
Looking beyond F1, former drivers have successfully transitioned to other racing series like IndyCar, WEC, or Formula E. Alpine has a presence in the Hypercar class of the WEC, where interest is burgeoning, showcasing another avenue Doohan might consider.
Though some drivers like Pierre Gasly have managed to revive their F1 careers after setbacks, Doohan has navigated a tumultuous period at Alpine which raises questions about his next step. With luck and strategic moves, he might yet find a way to reignite his racing ambitions in a different category or even in a future F1 seat. However, navigating this transition successfully will require both opportunity and timing.