Jack Doohan’s Formula 1 future hangs in the balance just six races into his rookie season, with reports suggesting Alpine will replace the Australian with reserve driver Franco Colapinto as early as the next round in Imola.
The 22-year-old, who has yet to register a point in 2025, has shown glimpses of promise, including outqualifying teammate Pierre Gasly in Miami and China, but a string of race-day incidents has left Alpine considering a shake-up.
According to widespread reports, Doohan has already been informed he’ll be demoted to a reserve role to make way for Colapinto.
While the speculation swirls, Supercars star Broc Feeney has stepped in with a heartfelt message of support for his childhood mate.
‘One of the hardest working guys in there’
Feeney, who finished second in last season’s Supercars championship, grew up racing alongside Doohan in Queensland’s karting circuits. The pair have remained close despite Jack’s move to Europe in pursuit of his F1 dream.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Feeney backed Doohan to bounce back from the uncertainty.
“I just think he’s been pretty unlucky with a few of the results,” Feeney said. “On the weekend, I don’t really think there’s much that he could have done to avoid that DNF, and a few things haven’t gone his way.
“But he outqualified Pierre and has shown some really good speed.”
Doohan’s Miami Grand Prix ended at Turn 1 after a tangle with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson — the latest in a series of setbacks, including a crash in Suzuka practice. Still, Feeney believes the Aussie has the mental resilience to ride out the storm.
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“He’s probably one of the hardest working guys, if not the hardest working guy, in there,” he added. “He’s probably the fittest, he’s the strongest, he’s got such a great mentality, and that obviously comes down from his dad — they’ve probably got the strongest minds together, that family, in the world.
“There’s no point of talking about it too much until we see what happens. I’m certainly not going to speculate. But whatever is thrown at Jack, he’ll be fine.”