Oscar Piastri has reached out with words of encouragement for fellow Australian Jack Doohan, following his replacement by Franco Colapinto at Alpine.
- Amid the shake-up at Alpine, Jack Doohan has been moved to reserve, making way for Franco Colapinto to step into the racing seat.
- Doohan’s demotion comes just six races into the season, with his compatriot Piastri urging him to remain proud of his Formula 1 journey.
- Speculation over Doohan’s position had been bubbling, and Piastri’s message reflects the camaraderie among Aussie drivers.
- Doohan remains optimistic despite the change, expressing gratitude for his past opportunities at Alpine.
In a surprising turn of events at Alpine, Jack Doohan finds himself stepping back to a reserve role as Franco Colapinto enters the limelight for a five-race trial. This change unfolds just six races into the highly competitive F1 2025 season and comes on the heels of a management shake-up at the team, including the recent resignation of team principal Oli Oakes.
Alpine’s decision to replace Doohan comes after a performance gap, with points in the 2025 season primarily scored by his teammate Pierre Gasly. Despite the change, Oscar Piastri, the reigning World Championship leader, has expressed his support for Doohan. Echoing sentiments of encouragement, Piastri remarked, ‘Hold your head up high,’ highlighting the achievement of reaching F1 and the challenges of such a career journey, especially coming from Australia.
The news over the driver swap became the topic of the day as rumors circulated about Doohan’s future in the sport. As the last Australian still actively racing in F1, Piastri’s words resonate deeply within the motorsport community. ‘I’ve literally just seen that the team principal has gone,’ Piastri noted, acknowledging the whirlwind of changes at Alpine and reflecting on the potential end of Doohan’s current stint in F1.
Doohan himself remains hopeful and committed. Although stepping aside for now, he’s keenly watching the unfolding races with Colapinto in the driver’s seat. In his own words, Doohan expressed pride in his accomplishments and stressed his ongoing dedication to the team’s long-term goals, even in a non-racing capacity, as he aims to contribute wherever possible.
While Doohan watches with ‘interest’ from the sidelines, the door to full-time racing hasn’t entirely closed. Colapinto’s performance over the next five races will likely influence future team decisions. Doohan, maintaining a positive stance, expressed gratitude for his journey so far and is focused on staying prepared for any forthcoming opportunities in professional racing.
Despite the changes at Alpine, Jack Doohan remains positive and ready for future challenges.
