Alpine part ways with reserve driver Doohan ahead of 2026 season

Alpine have announced that they are parting ways with Jack Doohan ahead of the 2026 season, ending a whirlwind experience for the Australian at the team.

Doohan, son of five-time 500cc motorcycling World Champion Mick, joined the Alpine Academy in 2022, before taking on reserve duties for 2023 and classifying third in that year’s F2 championship.

An unexpected debut came at the end of the 2024 campaign in Abu Dhabi, when Alpine split with Esteban Ocon a round early, before the youngster was given the chance to step up full-time for 2025.

However, Doohan’s time alongside Pierre Gasly lasted just six more rounds, with Alpine – following several waves of speculation and media reports – deciding to bring in former Williams super-sub Franco Colapinto as his replacement.

While the change was initially described as a seat “rotation”, Alpine stuck with the Argentinian racer for the rest of the season, while Doohan – demoted to test and reserve duties – watched from the sidelines.

A couple of weeks into 2026, and following a caption-less tribute post from Doohan at the end of last year, Alpine released a statement confirming that the driver and team have now gone their separate ways.

“BWT Alpine Formula One Team confirms it has reached a mutual agreement with Jack Doohan to not continue his driving services with the team for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season and allow him to pursue other career opportunities,” read the statement.

“Jack became the first member of the Alpine Academy to graduate into a race seat with the team when he made his Grand Prix debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“The team would like to thank Jack for his commitment and professionalism to the team for the past four years, both on and off track, and wishes him all the best for the future.”

Doohan’s next move is yet to be revealed, though he was seen testing Super Formula machinery in the closing months of 2025.

Alpine, meanwhile, still have former F2 racer Paul Aron to call on in a back-up role – the Estonian making several test and practice outings through 2025 in support of Gasly and Colapinto.