Motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan has taken a brutal swipe at Alpine over its treatment, and subsequent axing, of son Jack from its Formula 1 squad.
The Enstone-based outfit signed Jack Doohan for the 2025 season, making his full race debut at the curtain-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2024.
A product of its academy, Doohan was signed to line-up alongside Pierre Gasly, but executive adviser Flavio Briatore ominously signed Williams reservist Franco Colapinto to its ranks.
Rumours began to swiftly circulate that Colapinto was waiting in the wings to replace Doohan, which he duly did after six rounds, taking over from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix onwards.
The decision left Doohan out in the cold, and confirmation of his overall removal from Alpine was made upon the conclusion of the season.
After a failed attempt to join the Super Formula championship in Japan, Doohan was handed an unlikely second chance via a reserve driver role at Alpine, which he is dovetailing with an LMP2 seat in the European Le Mans Series.
Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, Doohan Sr refused to be drawn on the details of Doohan Jr’s unceremonious demotion, but made his feeling very clear indeed.
“I really can’t comment on that, but I think it was unfair,” the Aussie said.
“It was from the start. They replaced a driver before the season even began. And, basically, that was it.
“My son had a long-term contract; he was Alpine’s first junior driver to arrive. It was clear, for reasons I can’t say, that a different direction was taken.
“And that’s all there is to it. Look, Jack is a strong young man, and his plan is… He’s racing now, in Barcelona [at European Le Mans], with a race car.”
Doohan concluded with one final dig at Alpine, saying: “He’s with Haas F1 now, as a reserve driver, looking to secure a seat and with a team that’s more committed to contracts.”
With said Haas deal in the bag, Doohan Jr now appears to be full of confidence at being handed another chance to prove himself.
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