‘Herculean’ Formula 1 driver only has a contract for the first ‘five races’ of 2025 season

Follow us on Google Discover

It’s possible that only two of the 10 Formula 1 teams will field the same driver line-up in 2025. McLaren haven’t had to enter a chaotic market at all because both their drivers – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri – signed long-term deals.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin came into the year with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll out of contract. But there was never really any suggestion that they would make a change, and they handed the duo extensions.

Ostensibly, Red Bull will enter 2025 with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. That’s after the Mexican signed a new one-plus-one deal in June.

However, Perez is in breach of contract after falling too far behind Verstappen before the summer break. This gives Red Bull the right to break the agreement, should they wish to promote RB’s Liam Lawson instead.

Lewis Hamilton triggered one of the most chaotic silly seasons in modern F1 history when he decided to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari. Academy driver Kimi Antonelli will succeed him, with Carlos Sainz dropping to Williams.

Sauber/Audi this week completed an all-new line-up, with F2 title leader Gabriel Bortoleto arriving as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate. Haas have also made a wholesale change after moves for Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.

Jack Doohan will fill the Ocon void at Alpine next to Pierre Gasly. Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu and Kevin Magnussen are all poised to fall off the grid.

Alpine driver Jack Doohan must serve five-race ‘probationary period’ in 2025

Formula 1 saw two mid-season driver changes in 2024, with Logan Sargeant and Daniel Ricciardo both losing their seats. Franco Colapinto replaced Sargeant at Williams at the end of August, while Ricciardo made it 75% of the way through the year before Lawson’s return.

Now, his compatriot Doohan could also face a premature axe. According to F1-Insider, Alpine have only given him a contract for the first five races of next year.

The press release announcing the move simply refers to the 2025 season, leading many to assume he’d signed a one-year deal. That would have created significant pressure in itself, but his ‘probationary period’ may in fact be far shorter.

Doohan will have to show in Australia, China, Japan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia (races that take place between 16 March and 20 April) that he deserves a longer deal. If not, Flavio Briatore could demote him back to a reserve role.

Flavio Briatore already has a replacement in mind for Jack Doohan

Alpine have praised Doohan for his ‘Herculean’ work behind the scenes (via their official website) and they felt he deserved an opportunity following Ocon’s exit. But it’s clear they’re not entirely convinced just yet.

He’s one of four rookies confirmed for 2025 along with Antonelli, Bearman and Bortoleto. The 21-year-old competed against Bearman in the F2 standings last year, finishing third.

Briatore is part of Doohan’s management, so his ascension shows the level of power the Italian is wielding behind the scenes. But he already has his eyes on another driver.

Alpine are ‘making offers’ for Colapinto, who won’t have a seat at Williams next year after the signing of Sainz. That initially seemed like a long-term play with 2026 in mind, but he could be in the car much earlier if Doohan doesn’t perform.