Aussie motorcycling icon Mick Doohan has expressed his backing for his son Jack following his recent removal from the Alpine Formula 1 team. Doohan, who famously clinched five consecutive 500cc world championships during the mid-90s, shared graphics on Instagram highlighting the disparity between Jack’s performance and that of teammate Pierre Gasly. In his inaugural full F1 season, Jack’s top finish has been a 13th place in China, accompanied by two early race retirements in Australia and Miami.
In comparison, Gasly has posted slightly better results, including a seventh-place finish in Bahrain, two 11th places, two 13ths, and a point-scoring eighth in the Miami sprint race. Having been part of the F1 grid since 2017, Gasly notably secured victory at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix driving for AlphaTauri.
Jack’s exit from the Alpine team comes as Franco Colapinto steps in as his replacement for at least the next five races, casting doubt on his return. The decision follows a year-long hiatus from racing for Jack, who made a brief appearance in the 2022 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Despite his demotion, Alpine has stated that Jack remains their “first choice” reserve driver. Following the announcement, Jack expressed his gratitude to the team for their support in realising his racing aspirations, acknowledging the disappointment of not being on the grid. He noted the importance of remaining focused on long-term objectives and reiterated his commitment to contributing to the team’s success while pursuing his own goals.
This announcement comes shortly after the completion of a mural celebrating the Doohans racing together, further highlighting the personal connection amidst this recent professional setback. The F1 season will continue with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola next weekend, presenting ongoing challenges and opportunities for all competitors involved.