Aussie axed by F1 team after miserable run

Just seven races into his Formula One career, Australia’s Jack Doohan has been demoted by Alpine.

It’s the latest example of the brutal world that is F1 and just how meaningless contracts are in the sport.

Rumours around Doohan’s future have been swirling since the Australian Grand Prix, but a series of miserable results for the rookie driver – including crashing out on turn 1 in Miami at the weekend – have secured his fate.

Reserve driver Franco Colapinto will drive "at least" the next five races starting at Imola on May 16.

“As part of an on-going assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship,” said an Alpine statement.

“BWT Alpine Formula One Team therefore announces that Franco Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, ahead of a new evaluation before the British Grand Prix in July.

“Jack Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice Reserve Driver for this period of time.”

It’s a fate many believe was a forgone conclusion for Doohan with Alpine signing Colapinto as their reserve from Williams before the season had started.

Reports of a Miami deadline had been swirling in the paddock for weeks.

Six races into the season and Doohan has failed to challenge his teammate Pierre Gasly outperforming him in just one race and without a championship point to his name.

His best result this season came in China where he finished 13th. His other results include two DNF first lap crashes (Australia and Miami, 15th in Japan, 14th in Bahrain and 17th in Saudi.

According to the BBC Alpine have refused to comment on the driver switch but the details will be finalised for Imola. Doohan will remain involved with the team in some capacity.

Doohan’s dismissal is the latest in a string of contracts being broken by teams in recent years. Already this season Liam Lawson was demoted by Red Bull.

Last year Logan Sargeant was dismissed by Williams midway through the season. His exit was followed by Daniel Ricciardo being shown the door by Red Bull in favour of Lawson.

In 2023 Nick De Vries was axed by AlphaTauri after 10 races and replaced by Ricciardo.