Colapinto’s secret test fuels rumours, is Doohan’s F1 future in jeopardy? The pressure on Jack Doohan has intensified after reports emerged of a secret test involving Alpine reserve and test drivers Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron at Monza last weekend. The Australian is one of five drivers yet to score a point in the 2025 Formula One season, and while Alpine has publicly backed its driver, the silence around the private test and increasing speculation suggest that patience within the team may be wearing thin.
Doohan’s start to the year has been rocky, marked by inconsistency and an apparent lack of confidence in the machinery beneath him. And while Alpine’s poor overall performance hasn’t helped, the fact that the team is quietly giving more seat time to its back-up options has sparked renewed concern over whether Doohan will even make it to the European leg of the season.
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A young career on the brink
Jack Doohan, 22, entered Formula One with high expectations. The son of five-time MotoGP World Champion Mick Doohan, he carried both pedigree and promise when he stepped into his race seat at Alpine following years of work as a junior and reserve driver. But after a handful of races in 2025, Doohan failed to find his rhythm.
Mechanical problems, questionable strategy decisions and some critical driver errors have left him without points as the team struggles in the lower midfield.
RTL’s Felix Görner, a long-time F1 correspondent and analyst, recently wrote that Doohan is “severely counted” – a German phrase that effectively means his days are numbered. According to Görner, Alpine has given the young driver two more races – Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – to prove himself.
“He must now improve significantly, he can’t afford any more mistakes,” Görner warned in his sport.de column.
The looming presence of Franco Colapinto only adds to the urgency. The Argentinean driver’s own journey to F1 has been unconventional but impressive, and recent developments suggest he’s being fast-tracked for a possible mid-season promotion.
Colapinto’s quiet rise and the Monza test
Franco Colapinto’s name began to gain serious traction in F1 circles during the chaotic 2024 season. After Logan Sargeant was sacked by Williams midway through the year, Colapinto was unexpectedly brought in to fill the void.
Despite limited preparation, he performed admirably, earning plaudits for his adaptability and racing skills. However, the door to a permanent seat at Williams closed when the team secured Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon in 2025.
That led Colapinto to Alpine, who snapped him up as both a reserve and test driver for the current season. According to a report from speedweek.com, while Doohan was enduring another difficult weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, Colapinto and fellow Alpine backup Paul Aron were quietly running laps in an older spec Alpine F1 car at Monza.
There was no fanfare, no official statement – but those in the know saw the signs. The test wasn’t just for fun. It was a controlled environment, ideal for head-to-head comparisons between the two hopefuls, both itching for a seat. Lap times from such tests are rarely made public, but within teams they can carry enormous weight.
“It’s clear that Colapinto and Aron took a step closer to F1 with this session,” noted speedweek.com.
“The fact that both got significant mileage in an F1 car while the regular driver continues to falter can’t be ignored”.
The power behind the seat: Briatore’s influence
In recent months another key figure has emerged as a crucial pillar in Doohan’s survival: Flavio Briatore. The former Renault Team Principal, known for his colourful history in the sport and for playing an instrumental role in the development of talent such as Fernando Alonso, is not only an advisor to Alpine but also acts as Doohan’s manager. According to Görner, it’s Briatore who is currently keeping Doohan in his seat.
“Only his own manager, Flavio Briatore, and therefore the boss of Alpine, is currently saving him from being sacked,” wrote Görner. “Just because Briatore has Doohan under contract doesn’t mean that the rookie has been kicked out.
Briatore’s support has provided Doohan with a temporary shield against internal changes, but many believe it’s only buying him time, not securing his place in the long term.
Internal whispers point to inevitable change
While no official statement has been made, multiple paddock sources suggest that Alpine is actively evaluating its options – and that Colapinto is more than just a reserve driver. One source told speedweek.com that the debate within the team has shifted from if Doohan will be replaced to when.
Rumour has it that the team may use the spring break after the early flyaway rounds to make a decision. If Doohan does not perform strongly in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the team could use the gap before the first European race to introduce a replacement without disrupting operations mid-week.
So the Monza test may have been more than just a chance to give the reserve drivers some mileage. It could have been a dress rehearsal – a final check on Colapinto’s readiness for prime time. His previous F1 experience with Williams, combined with a fresh run in Alpine machinery, makes him a logical successor should the team decide to pivot.
Doohan’s uphill battle for redemption
Despite the swirling speculation and internal assessments, Doohan is still in control of his own destiny – for now. Alpine have not publicly issued any ultimatums, but insiders confirm that he is skating on thin ice. The next two races are crucial.
Doohan needs not only clean races, but tangible results. The midfield competition is fierce in 2025, and even a few points would go a long way to cementing his place, at least temporarily. The challenge is enormous: his car lacks the pace of the front-runners, and he is battling not just rivals on track but his own teammates off it.
Mentally, this is arguably the biggest test of Doohan’s career. He has to shut out the rumours, block out the distractions and perform under pressure. It’s a scenario that many drivers in his position have not survived – but those who do often emerge stronger and more complete.
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The road ahead for Colapinto and Alpine
For Franco Colapinto, the road to F1 looks increasingly clear. With strong performances in junior formulas, a successful stint with Williams and now valuable seat time at Monza, he’s ticking all the boxes Alpine would want in a potential full-time driver.
Should Doohan falter, Colapinto is ready – not only in terms of skill, but also in terms of media savvy, brand value and racing maturity. His South American fan base could also bring additional marketing opportunities that Alpine could exploit in its global outreach.
Meanwhile, Paul Aron is another name to watch, albeit a little further down the pecking order. The Estonian has quietly built up a strong resume and is highly regarded internally. While a race seat may be a long way off for 2025, he could feature prominently in long-term plans.
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A defining moment for Alpine’s driver strategy
Alpine’s driver choices have been under scrutiny for several years now. From the handling of the Oscar Piastri contract saga to the short-lived stints of several drivers, the team has struggled to establish continuity in its lineup. Replacing Doohan midway through the season would be another twist in that narrative – but one that may be necessary if results continue to falter.
Whether the team sticks with Doohan or makes a move, the decision will speak volumes about Alpine’s commitment to its young drivers. Is it prioritising development and patience, or is it opting for immediate performance and upheaval?
What’s clear is that moves are already being made behind the scenes. The secret test in Monza wasn’t just a routine evaluation. It was a sign that the team is preparing for change.
And unless Jack Doohan can flip the script in the next two races, that change may come sooner than he ever expected.
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The McLaren dominance in Australia was mitigated by wet conditions which cause Oscar Piastri to make a mistake and hand second place to Verstappen on a plate. The in China, again the McLarens looked ahead of the field only for them to mess up Sprint qualifying but claim their first 1-2 of the year in the race on Sunday.
Again expectations were high for the papaya liveried cars in the land of the rising sun, yet both made mistakes in their final qualifying runs whilst Verstappen pulled out ‘miracle’ lap claiming a crucial pole position by just 0.014seconds. All Max needed was to beat the McLaren’s into turn one in Suzuka and the race was his, which he did. The resurfaced circuit meant that tyre degradation was minimal which failed to showcase one of the MCL39’s strengths…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
Hi to all the F1 managers and drivers please do yourself and many other caring people around the world aswell as Michael Schumacher a favor to let his Son Mick have a seat back in Formula 1as it would give Michael happiness to his inner soul thank you
Nothing secret when random people were allowed access to circuit boundaries & film his running from the grandstands.