“Alpine benched rookie Jack Doohan for Franco Colapinto during the 2025 Formula 1 season, a move anticipated since Colapinto joined the team as a test and reserve driver.
Colapinto, previously part of the Williams academy, displayed impressive speed last season despite occasional mistakes. Doohan’s contract reportedly allowed Alpine to replace him after a set number of races.
Other F1 rookies, facing the challenge of the current ground-effect cars, empathized with Doohan’s situation and criticized the decision.
Haas rookie Oliver Bearman expressed sympathy for Doohan, highlighting the pressure rookies face at unfamiliar tracks and sprint events.
Success in modern F1 involves talent, but also factors like team support, testing opportunities, and car performance, as seen with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s quick adaptation.
Bearman suggested that driving for a higher-ranked team may offer more stability and less room for errors, reflecting on his own experiences in his rookie season.”
