Discussion
The Race are reporting that Doohan's time is possibly up. Not surprised unfortunately, think he's had a lot of bad luck but has also struggled in general and was always going to have to have a very good performance to keep his seat.
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/jack-doohan-alp...
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/jack-doohan-alp...
A lot of dishonesty from both camps here . Why didn't they say he was in the car for x number of races in 2025.
Lot less pressure on him and doesnt look like he is being dumped due to not performing.
As usual I blame the press reporting. So eager to will a situation into reality.
Alpine were probably after some money plus driver and put doohan in without that as some sort of favour to his dad. I think Briatori was Micks manager in motogp, so knobs twiddled etc.
Meanwhile other driver comes along ,has money and is at least as good. Lots of commerce to be done by Alpine and Renault in south america. This is what people above briatori worry about,not his back scratching act.
Could be all wrong and Doohans in all year,and Colapinto is an expensive backup.
Lot less pressure on him and doesnt look like he is being dumped due to not performing.
As usual I blame the press reporting. So eager to will a situation into reality.
Alpine were probably after some money plus driver and put doohan in without that as some sort of favour to his dad. I think Briatori was Micks manager in motogp, so knobs twiddled etc.
Meanwhile other driver comes along ,has money and is at least as good. Lots of commerce to be done by Alpine and Renault in south america. This is what people above briatori worry about,not his back scratching act.
Could be all wrong and Doohans in all year,and Colapinto is an expensive backup.
It’s obviously a done deal if the BBC are reporting it as such. They are also suggesting that Colapinto’s sponsors are a factor in the decision. This move has appeared to be inevitable since Alpine signed Franco. If they didn’t think he was better than Doohan, why sign him? And if they do think he’s better, why isn’t he in the car?
I always sympathise with drivers who are fired without getting a fair go, (to use a suitably Aussie expression). Jack has been treated harshly and I wish him well. I hope he goes on to prove Alpine wrong in the same way Albon has proved Red Bull wrong.
I always sympathise with drivers who are fired without getting a fair go, (to use a suitably Aussie expression). Jack has been treated harshly and I wish him well. I hope he goes on to prove Alpine wrong in the same way Albon has proved Red Bull wrong.
What, you mean you don’t think Flavio is the second coming himself!
I don’t get why everyone seems to love him, I’m glad to aee your voice of reason as it often seems like only a few people both fans and pundits have any memory of the sheer gall of the “man”.
It’s a crying shame that a lifetime ban only means lifetime if you don’t have the money to cheat your way back in!
I don’t get why everyone seems to love him, I’m glad to aee your voice of reason as it often seems like only a few people both fans and pundits have any memory of the sheer gall of the “man”.
It’s a crying shame that a lifetime ban only means lifetime if you don’t have the money to cheat your way back in!
Sheetmaself said:
What, you mean you don’t think Flavio is the second coming himself!
I don’t get why everyone seems to love him, I’m glad to aee your voice of reason as it often seems like only a few people both fans and pundits have any memory of the sheer gall of the “man”.
It’s a crying shame that a lifetime ban only means lifetime if you don’t have the money to cheat your way back in!
I don’t get why everyone seems to love him, I’m glad to aee your voice of reason as it often seems like only a few people both fans and pundits have any memory of the sheer gall of the “man”.
It’s a crying shame that a lifetime ban only means lifetime if you don’t have the money to cheat your way back in!

Even without the history; everything I've seen of FB since he returned is a shambling mess that barely makes any sense with his ramblings.
But as you say, the history should have meant that no team would get within the proverbial barge pole distance of him, let alone (essentially) the place he pissed in the porridge in the first place!
I did wonder how long Oakes would last as they seemed about as far as possible from natural partners in running a team; a chap who seemed a supportive and nurturing team leader vs an ego with, astonishingly and apparently, influence.
Apparently now official.
https://x.com/f1/status/1920011412618821792
Five race deal for Franco Colapinto.
https://x.com/f1/status/1920011412618821792
Five race deal for Franco Colapinto.
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