### Alpine F1 Team Parts Ways with Jack Doohan Ahead of 2026 Season - Jack Doohan, the Australian reserve driver for the Alpine Formula 1 team, has officially parted ways with the team before the start of the 2026 season. This decision comes after a challenging 2025 season where Doohan participated in only six races, leading to his demotion from a race seat [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alpine-release-driver-doohan-095802958.html][https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/f1-jack-doohan-alpine-colapinto-2026-b2899474.html]. - The split was confirmed through an official statement from Alpine, allowing Doohan to explore new opportunities in his racing career [https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/1073207/f1-star-jack-doohan-leaves-alpine-2026-season-official-statement-issued.html][https://www.grandprix247.com/formula-1-news/alpine-and-jack-doohan-officially-part-ways]. ### Overview of the Situation and Implications 1. **Background of Doohan's Tenure**: - Doohan joined Alpine as a full-time driver for the 2025 season but faced difficulties, resulting in only six race appearances [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/alpine-f1-team-part-company-dropped-doohan-5855631]. 2. **Mutual Agreement to Part Ways**: - The decision to terminate the contract was mutual, allowing both parties to move forward. Alpine confirmed that they would be fielding Pierre Gasly and another driver, likely Franco Colapinto, for the upcoming season [https://www.timeslive.co.za/motoring/2026-01-13-doohan-and-alpine-end-contract-ahead-of-2026-season]. 3. **Future Prospects for Doohan**: - With the termination of his contract, Doohan is now free to pursue other racing opportunities, including a potential switch to the Super Formula series [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alpine-f1-team-releases-jack-092857999.html][https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3767807-jack-doohan-and-alpine-f1-part-ways-amidst-challenging-season]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Performance Metrics**: - Doohan's performance in the 2025 season was limited, with only six races completed, which significantly impacted his standing within the team [https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1088415/1/alpine-put-end-jack-doohan-f1-saga-split-confirmed]. - **Team Composition for 2026**: - Alpine has confirmed that they will retain Pierre Gasly and are expected to sign Franco Colapinto, indicating a shift in their driver lineup for the upcoming season [https://www.racefans.net/2026/01/13/doohan-exits-alpine-eight-months-after-being-dropped-from-race-team]. ### Conclusion and Future Outlook - **Key Takeaways**: 1. **Doohan's Departure**: Jack Doohan's exit from Alpine marks the end of a brief and challenging chapter in his Formula 1 career. 2. **Team Strategy**: Alpine is restructuring its driver lineup, focusing on more consistent performance with Gasly and Colapinto. 3. **Doohan's Next Steps**: The Australian driver is now positioned to seek new opportunities, potentially in other racing series, which could revitalize his career. - **Final Thoughts**: The split between Jack Doohan and Alpine reflects the competitive nature of Formula 1, where performance dictates opportunities. As Doohan looks to the future, his next move will be crucial in determining his trajectory in motorsport [https://speedcafe.com/f1-news-jack-doohan-splits-with-alpine-driver-contract-super-formula-toyota-haas].