Jack Doohan didn’t ‘enjoy being a Formula 1 driver’ amid Flavio Briatore pressure at Alpine

Follow us on Google Discover

Jack Doohan admits he wasn’t able to enjoy his brief stint as a Formula 1 driver at Alpine. Doohan was speaking on the latest season of Drive to Survive, which releases on Friday.

Alpine announced in August 2024 that Doohan would graduate from his reserve role to a full-time seat. They needed a replacement for the Haas-bound Esteban Ocon.

Flavio Briatore had started running the team shortly before the announcement, and it became clear in the months that followed that he wasn’t entirely convinced by Doohan.

Briatore signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve and it was widely speculated that the heavily-backed Argentine would take over from Doohan early in the season. The swap took place before the Emilia Romagna GP in May.

Jack Doohan says he couldn’t enjoy his F1 chance at Alpine

Many in F1 felt that Alpine didn’t treat Doohan fairly. For instance, Martin Brundle suggested that they should have given him until at least the summer break.

The Australian failed to score a point in his six 2025 starts and also suffered multiple crashes, but Colapinto’s results were largely similar.

Speaking on Drive to Survive, via The Times, Doohan said he wasn’t able to enjoy the realisation of his dream. From his very first press conference, he was facing questions about his future.

Alpine will hope to end their droughts in F1 now they have a Mercedes engine, but will they?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

He said: “I wasn’t able to enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I dreamt of for so long. So yeah, it’s pretty s—.”

Doohan tried to move to Super Formula for 2026 but negotiations were unsuccessful. He will at least remain active in the F1 paddock as the Haas reserve driver, having cut ties with Alpine.

Flavio Briatore ‘enjoys’ firing staff who underperform

Briatore leans into his pantomime villain persona in season eight, admitting that he takes some enjoyment in firing employees who don’t meet expectations.

“I still enjoy it, if the people are not doing their job,” he said. “Sometimes you want the stick and to beat everyone on the head. I’m not a dictator – but you do whatever I tell you to do.”

Alpine made Doohan pay for his own tests in a junior formula car last year. By the end of his stint at Enstone, it seems the relationship had completely eroded.

With Oliver Bearman heavily linked to Ferrari for 2027, Doohan could be a contender for a Haas seat if he impresses the team in his backup role this year.