Alpine and Doohan mutually part ways ahead of 2026

Written by Kavi Khandelwal

Alpine Formula One Team have officially announced a mutual agreement with Jack Doohan to terminate his driving services, effective immediately. This ends the Australian's tenure with the Enstone-based outfit ahead of the 2026 season.

Credit: Formula One

The news comes following a turbulent 2025 campaign that saw Doohan demoted to a reserve role after a difficult six-race audition. This announcement, released via official team channels and social media, marks the final chapter for the first graduate of the Alpine Academy to reach a full-time race seat.

Doohan’s promotion to the grid was a landmark moment for the Enstone squad, as he became the first true graduate of the Alpine Academy to break the "glass ceiling" into a permanent seat. After finishing as the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Vice-Champion and securing third in the 2023 Formula 2 standings, the Gold Coast native spent 2024 embedded in the team as a reserve.

His journey was also a personal one; the son of five-time motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan, Jack had transitioned from the Red Bull Junior Team in 2022 specifically to find a clearer path to F1.

Doohan made his competitive debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a replacement for Esteban Ocon, but his stint in the A525 era was marred by a lack of points and a high-pressure environment that favoured financial backing over developmental patience.

However, the reality of the 2025 season proved harsh. Competing in an inconsistent Alpine car, Doohan struggled to match the pace of his veteran teammate Pierre Gasly. His six-race stint was plagued by misfortune and high-profile incidents, including heavy crashes in Australia and Japan.

The breaking point arrived at the Miami Grand Prix, where a first-lap collision with Liam Lawson left him with another DNF and zero points on the board. Shortly after, Alpine opted to "rotate" the seat, bringing in Franco Colapinto for the remainder of the year and effectively ending Doohan’s competitive run.

In an official statement, the team expressed its gratitude for Doohan’s contributions: "BWT Alpine Formula One Team confirms it has reached a mutual agreement with Jack Doohan to not continue his driving services with the team for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season and allow him to pursue other career opportunities. The team would like to thank Jack for his commitment and professionalism over the past four years and wishes him all the best for the future."

Despite his championship-winning pedigree in the junior categories, his brief window in F1 coincided with Alpine’s most unstable period in a decade.

While his F1 journey with Alpine is over, the door remains ajar for a return to the grid if he can replicate the success of fellow academy graduates in external categories.