Colapinto’s rise threatens Doohan’s F1 prospects at Alpine

Australian rookie Jack Doohan’s Formula 1 career faces intense scrutiny following Alpine’s signing of Franco Colapinto on a multi-year deal.

The 21-year-old Argentine driver’s stellar performances during his nine-race stint with Williams in 2024 have raised questions about Alpine’s confidence in Doohan’s ability to make an immediate impact in the 2025 season.

Currently the team is sitting at +25000 odds to win the Constructor Championship with the top online sportsbooks.

Colapinto, who scored five points across seven races for Williams, demonstrated adaptability and consistency under pressure, making him a valuable addition to Alpine as a reserve and test driver.

His arrival has heightened competition within the team and placed Doohan in the unenviable position of proving his worth while shadowed by a potential replacement.

Alpine executive director Flavio Briatore offered a blunt assessment of the situation when speaking to Le Parisien.

“The only thing we can be sure of is death,” Briatore said when asked if Doohan’s seat was secure.

“We’ll start the year with Pierre [Gasly] and Jack, I can guarantee that. After that, we’ll see as the season progresses.

If there’s a driver who isn’t making progress or isn’t bringing me results, I change him. You can’t be emotional in F1.”

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Doohan’s Formula 1 debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix failed to impress, as he qualified 17th and finished 15th, far from the impact made by other rising stars like Colapinto.

While Doohan has been nurtured within Alpine’s academy, his junior career has been criticised for lacking the standout performances seen from other drivers who excelled in Formula 3 and Formula 2 before reaching F1.

Colapinto’s signing offers Alpine more than just on-track potential.

His growing popularity in Argentina, coupled with significant backing from South American sponsors, aligns with Alpine’s strategic shift toward financial sustainability and external revenue streams.

As a newly transitioned Mercedes customer team, Alpine is focusing on cutting costs while maintaining competitiveness.

Williams team principal James Vowles acknowledged Colapinto’s potential, saying,

“We believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco’s best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026.”

Doohan, meanwhile, must rise to the challenge, starting with his home race at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne as.

A strong showing could help solidify his position, though he remains a +50000 outsider to win at Bovada.

Alpine’s proactive recruitment of Colapinto, Ryo Hirakawa, and Paul Aron underscores the team’s readiness to pivot if results don’t meet expectations.

For Doohan, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

With his F1 future on the line, the 2025 season will be pivotal in determining whether he can prove his value or if Colapinto’s rise will continue at his expense.

The pressure is mounting, and Doohan has little room for error as he faces the most critical test of his career.

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