After the announcement of the driver change with Franco Colapinto, the Australian expressed gratitude for the opportunity and hopes to return
Doohan's performance in this first part of the championship left many doubts within the team. His debut at home, at the Australian Grand Prix, was forgettable, as he lost control of his car and had to retire before completing the first lap.
In the following race, in China, he was involved in an incident with Isack Hadjar that cost him dearly. He was penalized, received penalties on his super license, and finished the race in 16th place.
The third race, held in Japan, was not much different. An accident during the second free practice session affected his weekend, where he qualified poorly and finished in 15th place in the GP.
In Bahrain, he showed a bit more pace and managed to be in ninth place during a part of the race, but his performance declined and he finished in 13th place. To make matters worse, a penalty dropped him even further, ending the day in 15th position.
In Saudi Arabia, he struggled again, starting from 17th place and failing to recover, finishing outside the points. Finally, in the Miami Grand Prix, his last appearance as a main driver, he had to retire on the first lap after a collision with Liam Lawson. This marked the end of a stage characterized by ups and downs.
In the early hours of this Wednesday, Alpine appointed Franco Colapinto as the main driver of the team, replacing the Australian Jack Doohan. The poor performances of the oceanic driver at the start of the season led the team to take action, and that's why the young Argentine will be the one to get into the car at the Imola Grand Prix, next May 18.
Doohan's departure came shortly after Oliver Oakes submitted his resignation as team principal, a decision that accelerated the changes in Alpine's structure. Since then, it was only a matter of time before the team's reconfiguration became official.
Finally, the announcement came and placed Colapinto on the grid, while the Australian will move to a reserve driver role.
Through the official Formula 1 website, the 22-year-old broke his silence after losing his spot as a main driver. "I am very proud to have fulfilled my lifelong dream: to be a professional Formula 1 driver, and I will be eternally grateful to the team for helping me achieve it. Obviously, this last chapter is difficult to face, as, being a professional driver, I naturally want to compete," Doohan expressed, visibly moved by the change in role.
However, in his message, he also made it clear that he is not giving up and will remain committed to Alpine. "That said, I appreciate the team's trust and commitment. We have long-term goals to achieve as a team, and I will continue to strive to the fullest in every way possible to contribute to their achievement," he added.
Finally, he closed his statement with a reflection on what's to come. "For now, I will stay focused, keep working hard, closely follow the next five races, and continue pursuing my personal goals."
