‘Incredible’ driver may miss out on 2025 F1 seat after Alpine signed Jack Doohan

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Jack Doohan will partner Pierre Gasly at Alpine next year, the team confirmed on Friday ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. Doohan graduates from the reserve role to a race seat at Enstone.

Alpine have had a confirmed vacancy since June when they came to the mutual decision to part ways with Esteban Ocon. Ocon, who joined the team in 2020 when they were still known as Renault, is headed to midfield rivals Haas.

Flavio Briatore tried to sign Carlos Sainz, but Williams won the race for the three-time Grand Prix winner. Doohan was always the obvious alternative, particularly as Briatore manages his career.

The former F2 star has impressed the team with his dedication this year. Doohan won praise for a ‘Herculean’ effort in the simulator before Gasly scored points at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Alpine are the sixth team to finalise their line-up for 2025. They join McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Haas and Williams.

Sauber/Audi still haven’t decided on a teammate for Nico Hulkenberg, while the potential departure of Sergio Perez could prompt a reshuffle at the two Red Bull teams. Mercedes are expected to sign Kimi Antonelli, who would join Doohan and Oliver Bearman as rookies.

Jack Doohan’s move to Alpine another blow to Mick Schumacher’s F1 chances

Naturally, the Doohan news will come as a blow to the other names on Alpine’s list. And one of those is Mick Schumacher.

Schumacher hasn’t driven in F1 since 2022, when he lost his seat at Haas. But he’s been representing Alpine in the World Endurance Championship this year and pushing for a comeback.

According to Sky Germany, the 25-year-old was one of the ‘candidates’ to link up with Gasly. And so, the signing of Doohan ‘reduces his chances of returning to F1 as a regular driver’.

It could also hurt drivers like Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu, both of whom are at risk of losing their spots on the grid. Magnussen is leaving Haas, while Zhou’s chances of staying at Sauber appear slim.

‘Incredible’ Mick Schumacher now reliant on Audi

Former Alpine team principal Bruno Famin praised Schumacher’s ‘incredible’ displays at WEC level, but the Frenchman has now been replaced by Oliver Oakes. That change may have cost him a key ally.

His only realistic hope of returning to F1 now is landing the seat alongside Hulkenberg at Audi. The prospect of an all-German line-up may theoretically appeal, but Mattia Binotto is unlikely to sign Schumacher.

Ferrari released him from their driver academy back when Binotto was in charge. It may represent too big a risk to bring him back after a year on the sidelines.

Valtteri Bottas appears the favourite for the Audi seat, having previously explored his options elsewhere. Bottas dropped the ‘clearest signal possible’ about his future when he posed next to an R8 with the number 77 on the back.