Jack Doohan is on the chopping block! Multiple sources report that the Australian will be replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto ahead of the Imola Grand Prix. Even before the season began, the rookie was already under pressure from the Argentine Williams star. After six races, it now seems that a change is imminent – from the Emilia-Romagna GP onwards, Doohan is expected to give up his seat to Colapinto.
After yet another challenging weekend in Miami, the decision to replace Jack Doohan is reportedly almost finalized. The breakdown in Florida is said to be the latest chapter in a series of disappointing performances by the 22-year-old Australian, who has so far struggled to find his footing in Formula 1. Doohan has not scored a single point in the premier class and has not finished higher than thirteenth place.
Initially, Doohan showed a glimpse of his potential in Miami. With a strong qualifying round, he beat teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time and started from P14. However, his race ended in the first corner after contact with Liam Lawson. This marked his second retirement in six Grand Prix – the first occurred during his home race in Melbourne. The weekend followed previous chaotic performances in China, where he incurred multiple penalties, and in Japan, where he crashed heavily after forgetting to close his DRS when entering the fast first corner – an incident for which Alpine openly held him responsible.
Doohan Out, Colapinto In?
The potential switch is not entirely unexpected. Even before the start of the season, rumors circulated that Doohan would only get five to six races to prove himself. At the same time, Franco Colapinto was increasing pressure within the Alpine ranks. Interestingly, a sponsor of Colapinto let slip last week that the Argentine would be making his ‘debut’ in Imola – a comment that was later dismissed as a mistake, but which may now become a reality.
Colapinto, who came from the Williams program, is considered a promising talent. Last year, he inherited Logan Sargeant‘s seat and scored points for the British racing team on multiple occasions. However, with the arrival of Carlos Sainz, the Argentine could not retain his spot. Now, a new opportunity beckons – this time at Alpine, in Jack Doohan’s car. Team boss Oliver Oakes was notably absent from the usual press conference in Miami on Sunday evening, further fueling the rumors.
