Jack Doohan’s temporary F1 profession took a harrowing flip earlier than his departure from Alpine. The 22-year-old Australian, son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, was changed by Argentine driver Franco Colapinto after simply six races within the 2025 season.
Nevertheless, the on monitor challenges had been compounded with the off-track threats that necessitated private safety measures.
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In line with famend F1 photographer Kym Illman, Doohan obtained quite a few threats on-line, notably from Colapinto’s followers. These threats prolonged past Doohan to his girlfriend, Ebony Zippora Gold, and his father, Mick Doohan.
The severity of the scenario led Doohan to rent around-the-clock safety in Miami, with plans to keep up this safety for the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.
On the efficiency entrance, Doohan struggled to make a big influence, failing to attain factors in his six races. His common place was 14.75 in comparison with teammate Pierre Gasly’s common of 11. A notable incident was a crash throughout FP2 in Suzuka, the place he failed to shut the DRS at Flip 1, leading to a high-speed accident.
Jack Doohan earlier than the 2024 US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.Jerome Miron-Imagn Pictures
The choice to switch Doohan with Colapinto was reportedly made earlier than the Miami Grand Prix, however Doohan was knowledgeable solely after the race to keep away from affecting his efficiency. This variation coincided with the resignation of Alpine staff principal Oliver Oakes, who was succeeded by Flavio Briatore.
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Doohan’s expertise highlights how brutal Formulation 1 is. As Illman identified, “It is a sport the place efficiency talks and cash.”
After scoring a drive with Williams final 12 months, Colapinto had ignited a wave of enthusiasm in Argentina, contributing to a noticeable rise in F1’s recognition there. Alongside that, he brings substantial backing from large sponsors like Mercado Libre and Globant, and a large fanbase.. That’s an enormous enhance for the game and the staff who will profit from the sale of Colapinto’s merchandise.
Statistically, Colapinto edges out Doohan. He scored 5 factors in 9 races, regardless of three DNFs and holds a mean ending place of 11.17 — simply behind Gasly.
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As Illman notes, “Franco is a marketer’s dream. Younger, good wanting, enthusiastic and thrilling on monitor. And while you meet him, you’ll love him. He’s obtained an actual spark. A spark that clearly caught the attention of Flavio Briatore.”
