In a heartfelt show of solidarity, Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri has voiced strong support for fellow Australian driver Jack Doohan following Alpine’s decision to demote him after just six races in the 2025 season. The move, announced on May 7, 2025, saw Doohan replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto for the next five races, starting with the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. Piastri, who has faced his own challenges with Alpine in the past, urged Doohan to hold his head high, emphasizing the young driver’s achievement in reaching the pinnacle of motorsport.
Doohan, 22, made his full-time F1 debut with Alpine this season after a one-off appearance at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, his rookie campaign was marred by intense pressure and a lack of results, with no points scored and two retirements, including a first-lap crash with Liam Lawson at the Miami Grand Prix. Despite showing flashes of pace, such as outqualifying teammate Pierre Gasly in Miami, Doohan’s tenure was cut short as Alpine opted to “rotate” their lineup, a decision overseen by new team principal Flavio Briatore following Oliver Oakes’ resignation. Colapinto, who impressed with Williams in 2024, will now have five races to prove himself, while Doohan returns to a reserve role, with Alpine set to reassess their lineup ahead of the British Grand Prix in July.
Speaking to the Wide World of Sports show just before Alpine’s announcement, Piastri expressed sympathy for Doohan’s plight. “I think if it is the end of the road for Jack, he can be very proud of firstly making it to F1,” Piastri said. “Hold your head up high, you’ve been an F1 driver and no one can take that away from you. I’m sure he’ll have a successful career in whatever happens.” Piastri’s words carry weight, as he himself navigated a controversial exit from Alpine’s junior program in 2022 before joining McLaren, where he now leads the Drivers’ Championship with 131 points after four wins in the first six races of 2025.
The Australian motorsport community has felt the sting of Doohan’s demotion, with Piastri now the sole representative of the country on the F1 grid. Doohan, the son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, had been a promising talent in Alpine’s driver academy, but his struggles in a competitive midfield and a series of on-track incidents, including crashes in Australia and Japan, drew scrutiny. Alpine’s decision to promote Colapinto, who scored points in Azerbaijan and the United States in 2024, reflects their urgency to improve their ninth-place standing in the Constructors’ Championship, where Gasly’s seventh in Bahrain remains their only points finish this season.
Doohan, for his part, has taken the demotion in stride, vowing to remain committed to Alpine’s goals. In a statement, he said, “This latest chapter is a tough one for me to take, but I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula One driver. I will keep my head down, keep working hard, and watch with interest the next five races.” His resilience has resonated with fans, many of whom have echoed Piastri’s sentiments on social media, praising Doohan’s determination and potential for a comeback.
Piastri’s own history with Alpine adds a layer of poignancy to his support. After rising through their junior ranks, he parted ways with the team in 2022 amid a contractual dispute, a move that proved fortuitous as he joined McLaren and quickly established himself as a title contender. His success stands in stark contrast to Alpine’s ongoing turmoil, which has seen multiple high-profile departures, including Fernando Alonso in 2022 and now Oakes, alongside Doohan’s demotion. The team’s decision to bring back Briatore, a controversial figure known for his ruthless approach, signals a shift toward immediate results, putting additional pressure on Colapinto to deliver.