<p>Jack Doohan's brief and turbulent Formula One career has taken another painful turn. Alpine confirmed this week that the 22-year-old Australian has officially parted ways with the team, ending a relationship that lasted mere months at the top level before unraveling spectacularly.</p> <p>The news, announced Tuesday via mutual agreement, closes a chapter that probably felt like a career lifetime compressed into half a year. For context, see how he stacks up among the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/formula-1/news/youngest-f1-drivers-ever">youngest drivers in F1 history</a>.</p> <p>Doohan's dream of establishing himself in motorsport's elite category evaporated after just six races when Alpine axed him last May, replacing him with Franco Colapinto.</p> <p>He spent the rest of 2025 watching from the sidelines as a reserve driver.</p> <h2>A Dream Deferred, Then Denied</h2> <p>As an Alpine Academy product who'd climbed through Formula 2, Doohan seemed destined for his shot. That opportunity arrived at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when Alpine released Esteban Ocon early, giving Doohan his debut.</p> <p>The 2025 season should have been his proving ground. Instead, it became his exit ramp. Across those six rounds, Doohan failed to score a single point, managing a best finish of 13th while crashing twice.</p> <p>Alpine's patience, never particularly abundant under executive advisor Flavio Briatore's watch, ran out completely.</p> <p>The decision to promote Colapinto came after Miami, with Briatore pulling the trigger in characteristic fashion. The Argentine had impressed during a stint at Williams in 2024, catching Alpine's eye even as Doohan struggled to find his footing. "We changed Doohan with Franco," Briatore admitted later, though he eventually questioned whether Colapinto himself was really the answer.</p> <h2>The Briatore Factor</h2> <p>Briatore's return to Formula One leadership brought his trademark impatience with it. Known for quick trigger decisions throughout his controversial career, the 76-year-old Italian apparently saw enough in six races to conclude Doohan wasn't Alpine's future.</p> <p>Reports suggest Doohan attempted to negotiate his way out of Alpine earlier, but Briatore made things difficult, as sources told Reddit's Formula One community.</p> <p>The son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan found himself trapped in motorsport purgatory: too dropped to race, too contracted to leave.</p> <p>Alpine's statement this week spoke of "mutual agreement" and allowing Doohan to "pursue other career opportunities." That corporate language masked what really happened: a young driver's Formula One dream hitting the wall at high speed.</p> <h2>What Comes Next</h2> <p>Doohan isn't disappearing entirely from single-seater racing. Multiple reports link him to Japan's Super Formula championship for 2026, possibly with Toyota-powered Kondo Racing. That series, known for high-speed competition and technical challenges, could offer redemption if Doohan can rebuild his confidence and credentials.</p> <p>Super Formula has historically served as both a destination for drivers who couldn't crack Formula One and a springboard for those seeking another chance.</p> <p>For Doohan, it represents the latter hope. A strong season there could theoretically position him for another F1 reserve role or even a race seat if circumstances align.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Alpine moves forward with Pierre Gasly and Colapinto for 2026, having switched to Mercedes power units.</p> <p>The team's reserve driver situation remains unclear following Doohan's departure, though they'd employed several backup options throughout 2025 including Paul Aron and Kush Maini. If you're simply tracking how markets are shaping for 2026, you can find current prices to <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/motor-racing/formula-1">bet on Formula 1</a>.&nbsp;</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/formula-1/news/f1-strategy-explained">Inside the pit wall: how race strategy really decides modern F1</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/formula-1/news/indycar-vs-formula-1-differences">IndyCar or F1? The key differences fans always ask about</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/formula-1/news/f1-drivers-net-worth-2025-richest">Who’s really cashing in on the F1 boom in 2025?</a></li> </ul>