Jack Doohan’s Formula 1 debut is in ‘doubt’ after reports
emerged claiming Alpine have joined Red Bull in the race for Williams rookie
Franco Colapinto for a full-time seat in 2025.
Having bided his time on the sidelines as Alpine‘s reserve driver this
year, Doohan was expected to make his Formula 1 debut with the French team next
season, signing on as Pierre Gasly’s new team-mate.
Franco Colapinto in, Jack Doohan out at Alpine?
“I
am so happy to secure promotion into a full-time race seat in 2025 with
Alpine F1 Team,” said the Australian when he was announced in August. “I am
very grateful for the trust and belief by the team’s senior management.”
But a few months later it is being speculated he could
lose out to Williams’ rookie sensation Colapinto.
The Argentinean driver has emerged as a key piece of the
driver market after impressing since replacing Logan Sargeant at the Italian
Grand Prix. Taking the fight to his team-mate Alex Albon, Colapinto has scored
five points in six starts, far outweighing the one solitary point Sargeant
managed in 36 races.
He arrived on the grid too late to secure a Williams race
seat as the team had already confirmed Carlos Sainz as Albon’s 2025 team-mate
before his debut.
His performances have caught the attention of rival teams
with Red Bull reportedly keen on placing the 21-year-old at VCARB should they
opt to drop Sergio Perez from the senior team and instead promote Liam Lawson
as Max Verstappen’s new team-mate.
However, they’re not the only team interested with Alpine
emerging as a shock contender.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Doohan’s debut has gone from signed
and sealed to in ‘doubt’ as Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore now wants
Colapinto alongside Gasly.
‘It seems that Flavio Briatore has changed his mind and wants to steal from the competition the Argentine Franco Colapinto, 21, the revelation of this part of the season,’ claims the Italian publication.
