Alpine are expected to retain Jack Doohan until the summer break, having seen signs of potential in the first five rounds.
For all intents and purposes, the 22-year-old has cleared the first hurdle.
The Enstone team will re-evaluate in August, at which point his F1 future will become clearer.
Of course, the prospect of Franco Colapinto replacing Doohan later down the line remains a very real possibility.
Doohan given some breathing space by Alpine
Although dealing with pressure is an inherent aspect of Formula 1, there are few rookies who share the kind of uncertainty that Jack Doohan faces.
Even before making his debut, many reports suggested the Australian’s days with Alpine were numbered.
This was largely thanks to Flavio Briatore’s statements, who refused to confirm that Doohan would finish 2025 with the team over the winter.
In combination with news of Franco Colapinto’s arrival on a multi-year deal, it became clear as early as January that Doohan was walking a tight-rope.
Because of this, more so than other rookies, every qualifying and race session has been dissected.
Not only are Alpine closely following his progress, but fans and media are eager to determine his chances of retaining his seat.
His incidents in Australia and Japan, for example, immediately triggered speculation about Doohan’s future.
Still, for all of this outside noise, Doohan can be credited with some encouraging signs in 2025.
Despite failing to score points, the #7 car has often been within touching distance of teammate Pierre Gasly.
Considering his lack of experience and ultra-pressurised environment, this is an impressive feat.
In this backdrop, The Race have reported that Alpine’s stance on their drivers is not so clear-cut.
Colapinto is still seen as an integral long-term asset, but Doohan is performing too well to be discarded so early.
Briatore’s belief in Colapinto is well-documented, but Alpine’s trackside engineers are impressed by Doohan’s output.
Given that mid-season swaps are inherently tricky, it has become increasingly difficult to justify a driver change before the end of 2025.
Oliver Oakes praises Doohan
In an effort to quieten speculation, Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has discussed the situation.
The British engineer explains that Doohan’s position is safe for the time being:
“It’s been a little bit harsh on Jack, some of the stuff that was written by keyboard warriors there,” he told the ‘James Allen on F1’ podcast.
“And he’s getting his fair crack at it next year.
“I think the intention there isn’t to put [pressure] on his shoulders.
“It’s genuinely to give the team options further down the line – and for me, F1 is fine margins.
“There’s a load of people who are depending on a driver to deliver each weekend.
“And we need to make sure we’ve got the best drivers in the race car.
“Not just now, but also in the future.”
The Colapinto variable
Of course, Oakes is not the only decision-maker at Alpine.
Flavio Briatore also has an influence, and arguably a greater one, on the Enstone squad’s drivers.
It must be remembered that Alpine signed Colapinto on a four-year deal, according to the Argentine’s agent.
They are also understood to have paid a hefty fee to break Colapinto free of his Williams contract.
Although this does not mean Doohan will be replaced imminently, there it still a sense that Colapinto’s promotion is only a matter of time.
He has already completed plenty of mileage for Alpine in some TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) running.
Then again, it must be emphasised that Doohan’s position is stronger than it was at the start of 2025.
There can be no doubt that Alpine have the contractual manoeuvrability to pull the trigger and make a driver swap.
Considering they haven’t done so, Doohan has done enough to earn himself more time.
Other reserve Alpine reserve drivers, including Paul Aron, further complicate the French team’s driver equation.
For now, Oliver Oakes’ duo will be unchanged – at least for the next few rounds.
The key issue is whether Doohan can deliver the necessary results to further postpone Briatore’s plans with Colapinto.
