Australia's sidelined Formula One hope, Jack Doohan, has received a crushing blow to his racing ambitions after the Alpine team confirmed it will stick with Franco Colapinto for the 2026 championship.
Alpine's Driver Decision for 2026
The announcement, made ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, confirms widespread speculation that the French team would retain the 22-year-old Argentine driver for his first full season. Colapinto will race alongside the team's established number one, Pierre Gasly, who is contracted until the end of 2028.
This decision effectively closes the door on Doohan's immediate return to an Alpine race seat. The Australian was previously ditched after six races this season in favour of Colapinto, remaining with the Renault-owned outfit only in a reserve driver capacity.
A Season of Struggle and Shifting Alliances
Neither driver has managed to score a point for the struggling Alpine team in the current campaign, with the squad languishing at the bottom of the 10-team standings. Alpine has only managed to accumulate 20 points from as many races, having halted development on their current car to focus entirely on the major engine and rule changes coming in 2026.
With his path at Alpine now blocked, Jack Doohan has reportedly been actively seeking other racing opportunities. His father, five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, is said to have been in discussions with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. Haas maintains strong links with Toyota, leading to speculation that Doohan is being tipped for a seat with Toyota-powered Kondo Racing in Japan's competitive Super Formula series next season.
Marketability and Long-Term Vision
Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor who effectively runs the Alpine team, publicly backed Colapinto, stating he always believed the young driver had the potential to be a top performer. The team's commitment appears to extend beyond the track, however. Colapinto is believed to be a far more marketable asset for the team, thanks to his huge South American fan base, which is expected to be out in force at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
"Our decision to continue together for 2026 is a clear indication of our commitment and strong support for Franco as he develops as a race driver," Briatore said in a team statement.
Colapinto, who is the only driver on the current grid without a point in 2025, expressed his pride at securing the drive. "Ever since I made my Formula One debut, I knew, given the circumstances at play, it would be a huge challenge to keep my place in this sport," he stated. "It has been a long and tough road, and I am very proud for the opportunity to drive with this team again in 2026."
Looking ahead, the British-based Alpine team is pinning its hopes on a fresh start in 2026, which will include a significant power unit change, switching from Renault to Mercedes engines.
