What Jack Doohan’s Alpine F1 future looks like if Franco Colapinto retains his seat

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Jack Doohan has been searching for a way back onto the Formula 1 grid after losing his seat at Alpine six races into the 2025 season.

The Australian was afforded his chance in F1 after Esteban Ocon left the Enstone outfit for Haas at the end of 2024. Doohan would partner with Pierre Gasly in 2025, and he would be immediately put under pressure.

Flavio Briatore signed Franco Colapinto from Williams as a reserve driver for Alpine, with many believing that the Argentine would replace Doohan at some point in the season. The 22-year-old was rumoured to have a six-race contract – he would be out of the team after that period.

The Aussie failed to score points in the opening six races, with rookie errors and crashes hampering him and the team. After the Miami GP, Colapinto replaced Doohan, demoting him back to the sidelines.

Since then, he has been trying to find a way back onto the grid, with his replacement also struggling in the A525. The Argentine has faced immense pressure to keep his seat in 2025, with Doohan thinking he would replace Colapinto at Spa, but the switch never materialised.

Jack Doohan’s chances of an F1 return with Alpine will be ‘officially wiped out’ if Franco Colapinto keeps his seat

As the 2026 season approaches, Briatore confirmed it was between Colapinto and Paul Aron for the second Alpine seat next to Gasly. Doohan seemed not to be under consideration for a full-time return to F1.

Now, according to a report from The Race, Colapinto looks almost certain to retain his seat with the Enstone outfit. When the announcement comes, which could be before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, it will ‘officially wipe out’ Doohan’s chances of a return with Alpine.

Colapinto ‘received confirmation’ in Mexico that he would be keeping his seat in 2026. The 21-year-old is yet to score a point this season, but has been making steady progress next to Gasly in recent races.

The Argentine has been matching closer to his teammate’s pace in qualifying and the race. While he has not scored any points, Alpine have been impressed enough to keep him on board for 2026.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan? All to know from girlfriend to dad

Jack Doohan has been speaking to rival F1 teams in hopes of a return

With Doohan’s chances of returning to a full-time seat with Alpine seemingly over, he now faces huge uncertainty over his future with the team.

It is unclear whether Alpine will keep the Aussie on board in some capacity, whether that be as a reserve driver or working in the simulator. Doohan is paying for his own testing programme at Alpine, which may suggest that he is not in the team’s plans.

Doohan is ‘keen to secure a racing programme’ in 2026 to avoid another compromised season. Options such as Super Formula or the World Endurance Championship might be realistic for him.

But the 22-year-old will obviously look to stay in F1 in some capacity. Doohan held talks with Haas, as well as Williams, Cadillac and Sauber (soon to be Audi) over potential reserve driver roles.