Alpine Is she playing a trick on Jack Doohan by making him start at the Abu Dhabi GP?

For any new driver of Formula 1, a first Grand Prix in the premier class is an exceptional, almost magical moment, the consecration of a career. For Jack Doohan, this first Grand Prix risks being one of fear. If he had already secured his place as a regular at Alpine next to Pierre Gasly for the 2025 season, to replace a Esteban Ocon leaving for Haas, the Australian will not have to wait until March 16 to compete in his first Grand Prix.

The shattering premature break between the Norman and the A fléché, the day after the Qatar GP, will allow him to make his debut a little earlier than expected. Starting a Formula 1 career at the last round of the season is unusual and risky, both for Alpine…than for Jack Doohan himself. Risky, because the reasons for his early promotion to the A524 seat are not the clearest and the opacity of the behind-the-scenes negotiations make us fear the worst for the young Aussie.

A full-scale test for Doohan

Let's start from square one: officially, Alpine has "released" Esteban Ocon to allow him to carry out the post-season tests with Haas, which will take place the week after the last meeting of the year at Yas Marina. However, the reality would in fact be a little more complex, since the Norman was apparently granted permission at the end of the summer to drive with the American team without giving up his steering wheel for the Abu Dhabi GP. Moreover, Haas did not ask for the French driver to be released even before the Emirati round...

One might then believe that Jack Doohan's starting position from this Abu Dhabi GP is a chance for the Australian, who will have the opportunity to learn the processes in the garage. Alpine and to get back on track in real conditions, he who has not competed in a race since 2023, in Formula 2. This is partly true… but. Because there is always a but. Knowing the sometimes unscrupulous methods of Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor ofAlpine F1 Team since this summer, this first Grand Prix for Jack Doohan could also prove to be a full-scale test with a view to 2025. A trial run to really know what the 21-year-old driver is worth, how he adapts, if he immediately has the pace and mentality of an F1 driver. And above all, if Alpine made no mistake in signing him as a regular driver for the 2025 season, announced last August...

Because imagine for two minutes that this first experience goes badly – ​​which we don't want – for Jack Doohan. Unfortunately, there is reason to worry for him ahead of this Abu Dhabi GP. The Australian will recover theAlpine Esteban Ocon's A524, which is not equipped with the latest specifications, and with which the Norman lost about four tenths on a lap against Pierre Gasly. Will he be able to fight with the same weapons as the Rouen native? In addition, he will make his debut at the very end of the season, when all the drivers are perfectly run in with their bikes, in a context where the Constructors' championship is still uncertain, both at the front and in the middle of the pack, with Alpine who plays an unexpected 6th place.

Colapinto as a scavenger?

The slightest misstep by Jack Doohan, who will certainly be under pressure this weekend, could cost him dearly, very dearly. His seat in 2025? Not impossible. Would Flavio Briatore be capable of pulling such a stunt on one of his drivers, who is also managed by one of his structures? Not impossible. Could there be a performance clause, a condition in Jack Doohan's contract that could allow Alpine to put him out before the start of the 2025 season. Not impossible. Alpine Would she already have in mind to recruit another driver bringing sporting and financial guarantees, like a Franco Colapinto for example? Not impossible… but all this remains suppositions so no one will ever know the content.

The Argentinian has been followed for some time by the arrowed A, and the trail leading to Red Bull has cooled down in recent days due to the South American's more mixed recent performances. With him, Franco Colapinto could bring millions that would not be negligible for Alpine, in addition to a top speed demonstrated during the first races with Williams. More pragmatically and economically, it could also serve as a headliner for the Group. Renault in South America, where the Diamond has been strongly established for decades.

Doohan has everything to prove

However, the Colapinto track at Alpine would also have taken a hit after the Qatar GP, where the Argentinian retired at the first corner after a collision with… Esteban Ocon. Like Red Bull, the Arrowed A has taken a step back from the Williams driver after his misadventures in Brazil and Las Vegas, and would therefore be less inclined to recruit him. A chance for Jack Doohan?

In any case, whatever happens in Abu Dhabi, whatever happens after the race, the young Aussie will indeed take part in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix… and the Australian – despite the enormous pressure put on him by Alpine on his shoulders – hopes to take advantage of it. “It’s great to make my Formula 1 debut with the team this week in Abu Dhabi. This track brings back a lot of good memories.”, recalls the son of motorcycling champion Mick Doohan. I have driven at Yas Marina Circuit at various points in my career, and also won my final Formula 2 race there in 2023, so I am delighted to be returning, but this time in F1.”

“This weekend and the post-season test are an opportunity to get more track time together with the team to prepare for the 2025 season. My personal goal will be to support the team’s ambitions of sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. I look forward to working with them to achieve this goal and end the year on a positive note.” Let's hope for his sake that this first opportunity in Formula 1 is not, already, the last.

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