Other than Red Bull’s two teams, Alpine are the only outfit on the grid yet to finalise their 2026 driver line-up with Pierre Gasly still unaware who his team-mate will be beyond the next few weeks

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Jack Doohan’s chances of landing a return to the F1 grid with Alpine look to have faded(Image: Getty Images)

Jack Doohan has been ruled out of an opportunity to drive for Alpine in the final three rounds of the current Formula 1 season. The Aussie had been hoping for a second stint behind the wheel of the A525 after losing his spot to Franco Colapinto earlier this year.

Doohan was previously called up to replace Esteban Ocon at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, ahead of his first full-time F1 campaign in 2025. However, the 22-year-old was only given six rounds of the campaign to prove himself before being dropped ahead of the Imola race to make way for Colapinto.

Alpine initially announced the move as a five-race trial for Colapinto and seemed open, at least publicly, to the idea of putting Doohan back in the car. According to The Race, one of the scenarios discussed between the Gold Coast-born racer and team bosses involved him stepping in for the final three races of the campaign.

However, that option is now said to be off the table, despite Doohan reportedly securing the necessary financial backing to make the comeback possible.

Alpine has announced that Mercado Libre, one of Colapinto’s biggest sponsors, will have its branding on the car for the next two races, and funding is believed to have been committed for the remainder of the campaign.

Doohan, meanwhile, has been essentially sidelined within the Alpine squad. His simulator duties have been curtailed, and he has been excluded from the organisation’s TPC programme, with Paul Aron now positioned above him in the hierarchy. His prospects of an F1 return are now looking bleak.

Whilst Doohan’s stint with Alpine appears to be drawing to a close, Colapinto continues to struggle in his quest to secure his long-term future. The Argentine racer remains without points since his return to the F1 grid and frustrated team management in Austin by disregarding pit wall instructions.

Colapinto was told to maintain position behind team-mate Pierre Gasly with several laps left, but chose to launch an attack at Turn One, seizing the spot from the Frenchman. This did not go down well with managing director Steve Nielsen and team adviser Flavio Briatore.

Whilst Doohan’s stint with Alpine appears to be drawing to a close, Colapinto continues to struggle in his quest to secure his long-term future. The Argentine racer remains without points since his return to the F1 grid and frustrated team management in Austin by disregarding pit wall instructions.

Colapinto was told to maintain position behind team-mate Pierre Gasly with several laps left, but chose to launch an attack at Turn One, seizing the spot from the Frenchman. This did not go down well with managing director Steve Nielsen and team adviser Flavio Briatore.