How Alpine decision raises questions about Doohan's F1 future

Twice a season, an F1 driver in 2025 must give up his place to a rookie - which means an increase from twice to four times per year, per team. That rookie must have less than three Grands Prix to his name for the F1 team to comply with the rules. If a regular driver has not raced in less than three Grands Prix themselves, that also counts as a rookie. Since Jack Doohan had raced in fewer than three Grands Prix in Australia and China during FP1, Alpine has essentially complied with the regulations with this car.

Yet it is Doohan who must make way for Hirakawa this upcoming Friday, not Pierre Gasly, who will have to give up his place in FP1 twice later this season. It is somewhat surprising that Alpine chooses to move the Australian aside in Suzuka.

Doohan has no experience on this circuit, so it would be in the best interest of the youngster and his team to let him accumulate the necessary kilometers. Pierre Gasly, on the other hand, is a veteran at Suzuka; as an F1 driver and after his time in Japanese Super Formula.

So why Doohan then? At Alpine, no one openly says that the rookie will have to make way for Franco Colapinto at any point this season, but decisions like these can fuel speculation. Is this a sign that there is no future for Doohan at the team? That it doesn't matter whether he gains important experience at Alpine?

Perhaps, Doohan could wonder about this while he is expected to perform. In Suzuka, he starts with a disadvantage compared to at least his teammate, where that was not necessary at all.