Jack Doohan is expected to be replaced for the next Formula 1 race at Imola after Alpine informed the rookie of its intention to make an immediate change.
Alpine promoted its junior driver to a race seat for 2025 after losing out on Carlos Sainz to Williams.
But Doohan’s seat seemed at risk before he had even raced in F1 as Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore explored the prospect of signing Franco Colapinto late last year.
Alpine was in talks to bring in 2024 Williams stand-in Colapinto for this season as a reserve and potential race driver even as Doohan made his debut in place of Esteban Ocon in the 2024 season finale.
Then Colapinto officially joined Alpine in January this year, magnifying the pressure on Doohan in the build-up to his rookie season.
Though he has shown strong underlying pace at times and even surprised some at Alpine with how fast he was early in the season, Doohan has also had a run of incidents and is without a point after six races.
He retired from Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix following a first-corner clash with Liam Lawson - after outqualifying team-mate Pierre Gasly for the first time in a grand prix qualifying.
Doohan’s poor results are partly owed to Alpine’s own unexpectedly tricky start to the year after a good pre-season but he has often struggled compared to Gasly, made mistakes, and not pieced together clean weekends.
While this is broadly in line with what might be expected of a rookie, Doohan has not been afforded the same time as others.
Alpine qualifying head-to-head
GPs: Gasly 5 - Doohan 1
Sprints: Gasly 1 - Doohan 1
Average gap: Gasly 0.367s ahead
The Race understands Doohan was informed before leaving the track in Miami on Sunday night that Alpine intended to make a change.
Colapinto is in line to replace Doohan from the next race at Imola. Paul Aron, another Alpine reserve, is also an option for its driver line-up this season.
The Race understands Doohan, though sidelined, will remain part of Alpine's overall driver roster as it stands.
Alpine is yet to comment on Doohan’s situation or its driver intentions.
