Formula 1
Sprint, Strategy, and Shanghai: Key Battles to Watch at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix
The 2025 Formula 1 season moves to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, introducing the first sprint race of the year. Here’s DRC’s preview for the weekend.
The 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix marks an exciting return to Shanghai International Circuit, one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar. This race is particularly significant as it hosts the first Sprint Race of the season, intensifying the weekend’s schedule and adding an extra layer of unpredictability.
All you need to know for the first #F1Sprint of the season 🙌👇#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/VNVGoMWdGl
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 20, 2025
The event comes amid a major technical shake-up as the FIA implements new rear-wing flexibility regulations, which could impact the competitive order. With teams still adapting to the latest car developments and tire strategies, this weekend in China is poised to be a turning point in the season.
Shanghai International Circuit Overview
The Shanghai International Circuit, a 5.451 km Hermann Tilke design, is a demanding mix of long straights, heavy braking zones, and technical corners. The 1.2 km back straight offers prime DRS overtaking, while Turn 1’s spiral and Turn 14’s hairpin test braking precision. Tire wear, especially on the front-left, is key, forcing teams to balance straight-line speed with cornering grip. Past races have seen Hamilton’s 2007 pit lane mistake and Ricciardo’s 2018 charge, and with the first Sprint Race and flexi-wing rule changes, 2025 promises another thriller.
Track layout (Credits: formula1)
Tyre Compounds (Credits: Formula1)
For the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, Pirelli has selected the C2, C3, and C4 compounds as the hard, medium, and soft tires, respectively. This allocation is one step harder than the selection for the Australian Grand Prix, reflecting Shanghai’s track characteristics. The circuit has been resurfaced recently, which may affect tire performance and grip levels. Additionally, the front-left tire is expected to experience significant stress due to the track layout, necessitating careful management by teams and drivers. With the first Sprint weekend of the season, teams have 12 sets of dry tires—two hard, four medium, and six soft—along with intermediates and full wets. Managing these allocations effectively will be crucial for a successful weekend.
Technical Update: FIA’s Flexi-Wing Crackdown
The FIA’s new rear-wing flexibility tests could shake up the competitive order. Teams found to be pushing the limits on rear-wing flex could face performance losses or even disqualifications.
McLaren and Ferrari have expressed confidence that the rule change won’t significantly affect them, but Red Bull’s aerodynamic advantage could be tested.
McLaren: Norris and Piastri Enter the Fray
McLaren heads to China with momentum, after Lando Norris’ stunning victory in Australia put him at the top of the championship standings. Oscar Piastri, however, had a more difficult outing, finishing only ninth in his home race.
With Shanghai featuring long straights and a mix of slow-speed corners, McLaren’s aerodynamic efficiency will be tested. Norris, who finished on the podium here last year, is optimistic:
“I’m confident that when we go to China next weekend, we can be very strong because we were strong there last year with not a very good car.”
Switching our focus to the #ChineseGP 👊#McLaren | @OKX
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 19, 2025
Mercedes Closing the Gap to the Front
Mercedes arrives in Shanghai looking to build on early-season momentum and further develop their W16 challenger. The first Sprint Race of the year means limited practice time, so the team must adapt quickly to the circuit’s demands.
George Russell, eager to challenge for another strong result, sees the Chinese Grand Prix as a crucial test for Mercedes:
“Shanghai is a demanding track, especially with tire wear and long corners, but we’ve made clear progress with the car. The Sprint format makes things more intense, so we need to maximize every session.”
His teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, faces a new challenge at a circuit he has never raced on before in Formula 1 machinery. Despite this, the young Italian remains focused on learning quickly and delivering a strong result: “Every race is a new learning experience, and I’m excited to take on Shanghai. The long back straight will be key for overtaking, and managing tire degradation will be crucial.”
Team Principal Toto Wolff remains optimistic about Mercedes’ development and feels that they have made a solid step forward. Still being optimistic about unlocking more performance with efficiency due to sprint weekend and less time to fine tune the car.
Verstappen Seeks Redemption in Shanghai
Red Bull enters the Chinese Grand Prix aiming to fine-tune their RB21 after a challenging start to the season. Max Verstappen, a past winner in Shanghai, remains focused on extracting the most from the car in the Sprint weekend’s limited running:
“Shanghai is a fun track with lots of overtaking opportunities, but tire management will be key. We need to be sharp from the first session to get everything right for the weekend.”
Teammate Liam Lawson, still adjusting to the demands of a full-time F1 seat, is excited about his first race at the circuit: “I’ve done plenty of simulator work to prepare, but experiencing the track in real life will be different. It’s going to be a big challenge with just one practice session, but I’m ready for it.”
Hamilton and Leclerc Looking for a Breakthrough
Ferrari approaches the Chinese Grand Prix with determination to improve upon their recent performances. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur emphasizes the importance of the upcoming race: “It’s good that we are back on track just a few days after racing in Australia, as Shanghai will give us the opportunity to turn the page and move on immediately.” He acknowledges the challenges posed by the Sprint weekend format, which limits free practice time, and underscores the critical role of the team’s preparatory work at the Maranello factory and simulator support during the event. Vasseur adds,
“Charles and Lewis both like the Shanghai track, and we must ensure we do everything we can to allow them to get the most out of the SF-25.”
As Ferrari gears up for the first Sprint weekend of the season, the focus remains on optimizing performance and strategy to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the unique challenges of the Shanghai circuit.
Williams Racing looking to Build-up on Early Success
Williams arrives in Shanghai with growing confidence following a strong Australian Grand Prix, where Alex Albon finished fifth, securing valuable points. Carlos Sainz, in his first season with the team, had a tougher weekend but remains optimistic.
Albon is focused on maintaining momentum: “Australia was a really strong way to start the year with a great result for the team. We need to build on this momentum and pick up where we left off going into China this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Sainz is looking forward to the Sprint format to get his season back on track:
“Australia was a great start to the season for the team, although it proved more challenging for me. We will take all our learnings from Melbourne and focus our attention on China; our first Sprint event of the season and a good opportunity to get my season going.”
Albon seems well-adapted to the car, but Sainz will be keen to bounce back. Both drivers could fight for points if the setup is right.
Aston Martin Navigating Challenges in Shanghai
Aston Martin arrives at the Shanghai International Circuit for the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, aiming to build on recent performances and address the challenges faced with their AMR25 car. The team acknowledges that while the car performs well in high-speed sections, it struggles in slower corners, as evidenced by a three-tenths deficit in the final sector at Albert Park compared to competitors like Red Bull.
Lance Stroll demonstrated resilience in the season opener, securing a sixth-place finish amidst challenging conditions. His ability to capitalize on chaotic races showcases his experience and adaptability, qualities that will be crucial in Shanghai’s demanding environment. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, reflecting on his enduring competitiveness, stated: He remains optimistic about the team’s potential, emphasizing the need to understand and address the car’s weaknesses.
“I debuted in 2001, competed in the first GP of China in 2004, and in 2025, I am as fast as in 2004, or even faster.”
Alpine F1 Team: Harnessing Promising Pace
Alpine showed flashes of speed in Australia but failed to convert it into points. Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan are determined to change that in Shanghai.
Gasly remains optimistic despite the Melbourne result:
“It was disappointing to leave Melbourne without scoring points after showing promising pace across the weekend in a variety of conditions. However, I am pleased with the overall package and am confident heading to Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the year.”
For rookie Jack Doohan, this race is special, as he has past success at this track:
“I have fond memories of the circuit from past visits, including a win in Asian F3, and it will be a fun challenge in a Formula One car.”
If Alpine can fine-tune their setup quickly, Gasly could fight for points, while Doohan will focus on gaining experience.
Visa Cash App RB: Embracing the Sprint Challenge
Visa Cash App RB showed strong pace in Melbourne, giving Yuki Tsunoda and rookie Isack Hadjar confidence heading into Shanghai.
Tsunoda is excited about the weekend:
“The Shanghai track is quite unique, I do like it and I feel we can have a strong weekend. Our performance level every time we were on track in Melbourne was very good so if we have a straightforward FP1, picking up where we left off, we can do well.”
Hadjar, still learning in his debut season, sees the Sprint as a valuable opportunity:
“I am still lacking race experience so it’s good that this will be a Sprint weekend, as I will have the short race to get a feel for it before the main one.”
Tsunoda has the pace to challenge for points, while Hadjar will use the weekend to gain experience.
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team: Aiming for a Strong Comeback in Shanghai
After a challenging season opener in Melbourne, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is focused on leveraging lessons learned as they head to the Shanghai International Circuit for the Chinese Grand Prix. The team is eager to capitalize on the unique opportunities presented by the first Sprint event of the season.
Esteban Ocon, who has prior experience at Shanghai, including a top 10 finish in 2017, is looking forward to the technical challenges the track offers: “Shanghai is a very interesting track. It has a very technical layout and it’s great to have it back on the calendar.”
Rookie Oliver Bearman is eager to make his debut at the Shanghai International Circuit: “I’m very excited to go to China… I’m looking forward to the first Sprint—it’s definitely going to be a challenge as I haven’t driven the track before—but it’s a challenge I’m ready to take on.”
With the Sprint format allowing only a single practice session, the team acknowledges the need for quick adaptation and efficient decision-making to optimize performance throughout the weekend
Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber: Looking for Strong Points Finish in Shanghai
Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber heads to Shanghai aiming to capitalize on their promising start to the season. The first Sprint weekend of the year adds extra intensity, requiring quick adaptability and precise decision-making from both drivers. Nico Hülkenberg, who secured the team’s first points in Australia, is optimistic:
“Starting the season with points in Melbourne was a great result for the team, giving us positive momentum heading into China. Sprint race weekends bring an added level of intensity, so we need to be sharp from the start.”
His teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, will face another steep learning curve as he makes his Shanghai debut in F1 machinery. The Brazilian rookie is embracing the challenge:
“Every new track in F1 is a learning process for me, but I’ve worked hard in the simulator to be ready. The long back straight and slow corners will make this an interesting race, and I’m excited to get on track.”
Weather Forecast
(Credits: Formula1)
The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit is expected to feature warm and dry conditions:
Friday, March 21:
- Conditions: Sunny with a light breeze; gusts up to 40 kph.
- Temperature: High of 24°C.
- Chance of Rain: 0%.
Saturday, March 22:
- Conditions: Sunny with gentle breezes; gusts up to 35-40 kph in the evening.
- Temperature: High of 25°C.
- Chance of Rain: 0%.
Sunday, March 23:
- Conditions: Partly cloudy with a gentle breeze; gusts up to 35 kph.
- Temperature: High of 27°C.
- Chance of Rain: 1%
These stable weather conditions should provide teams with consistent track performance throughout the event.
Weekend schedule
📅 | Here is the Weekend Schedule for Formula 1's 🇨🇳 Chinese GP.
— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) March 19, 2025
Note: All timings mentioned are in 🇮🇳 Indian Standard Time.#F1 #Formula1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/1qJ5i6IILs
Desi Racing Co. brings you the latest updates and insights from Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, and more! Stay connected for in-depth motorsport analysis—follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for all the latest news and updates.
Formula 1
Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend
Formula 1 returns to the historic Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit for the Imola GP to kick off the European leg of the championship. With the current contract set to expire this year, this could be Imola’s final Grand Prix for the foreseeable future.
Imola GP: Formula 1 returns to one of its most iconic venues as the 2025 season heads to Imola GP for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Steeped in history and backed by passionate fans, the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit offers an unforgiving layout that demands precision and bravery. Following a run of high-speed tracks, this technical challenge marks a pivotal shift in the championship narrative. As teams arrive in Italy, all eyes are on who can conquer the old-school demands of this legendary circuit.
About The Track
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari—better known as Imola—is a classic driver’s circuit steeped in Formula 1 heritage. Nestled in the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna, this 4.9-kilometer track runs counter-clockwise—one of the few circuits on the calendar to do so. Imola is renowned for its flowing rhythm, technical demands, and minimal margin for error, with narrow asphalt and unforgiving gravel traps lining much of the layout. Unlike many modern venues, it retains a distinctly old-school character, with elevation changes that challenge both car setup and driver focus.
Among its most iconic sections are the high-speed, downhill sweep of Piratella, the tricky Acque Minerali complex with its undulating surface, and the Variante Alta chicane, which demands aggressive use of the curbs and perfect timing. Overtaking is notoriously difficult here, but the best opportunities typically come into the Tamburello chicane at the end of the main straight or under braking into Rivazza—especially when DRS and tire strategy shake things up in the closing stages.
Pirelli’s Specification
The new C6 compound is set to make its race debut at the Imola GP, as Pirelli has selected the softest trio from its 2025 range for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend: C4 as Hard, C5 as Medium, and C6 as Soft. This will mark the first appearance of the C6 on this season’s cars, as it was not used during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Homologated for circuits that place minimal stress on tyres, the C6 is expected to offer superior grip over a single flying lap—particularly on Imola’s relatively smooth and low-abrasion surface. While it’s unlikely to feature in race stints due to durability concerns, data gathered here, as well as from upcoming races in Monaco and Montreal, will help Pirelli assess its viability for use in the latter half of the season.
Stories This Weekend
Franco Colapinto’s Alpine Debut
Arriving as first time as an @AlpineF1Team driver, with one thing on his mind… 🍕🍕🍕 pic.twitter.com/3ayq4WxEyG
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) May 15, 2025
Franco Colapinto returns to the Formula 1 paddock with the French outfit, Alpine. The team recently announced the departure of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, and shortly after confirmed that Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five Grands Prix.
Piastri’s Winning Streak
Oscar Piastri is riding a career-high wave with a three-race winning streak, extending his points advantage over teammate Lando Norris. After a missed opportunity in Miami, Norris will be looking to bounce back—and the Imola GP could be just the place to do it. The Brit has historically performed well here, often exceeding expectations at this classic circuit.
MCL39 in Imola 🔜⏳#McLaren pic.twitter.com/gASVuwLGTl
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 12, 2025
Antonelli’s Home Race
It’s Kimi Antonelli’s first home race weekend of the season—and of his Formula 1 career. While the home support is guaranteed, it also brings immense pressure to deliver on familiar soil. With Mercedes introducing a fresh upgrade package for the Imola GP, Antonelli will be aiming to close the gap to the front. The German outfit will be hoping to hit the ground running and turn a new page in their 2025 campaign.
There's nowhere like Imola. Can't wait to be back 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lKrY9lg5Js
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 14, 2025
Big Showings For Ferrari
Ferrari heads into its first home race of the season at Imola, and that means one thing—the Tifosi will be out in full force. The team is bringing a significant upgrade package this weekend, hoping it will unlock more performance and bring clarity to the car’s behavior. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have historically performed well at this circuit, and with the home crowd behind them, they’ll be aiming to secure a solid haul of points.
Weekends are for racing 🔴 pic.twitter.com/C8iM36VIZR
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 15, 2025
Weekend Schedule
📅 | Here is the Weekend Schedule for Formula 1's 🇮🇹 Emilia-Romagna GP and Formula E's 🇯🇵 Tokyo E-Prix.
— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) May 13, 2025
Note: All timings mentioned are in 🇮🇳 Indian Standard Time.#F1 #Formula1 #ImolaGP #FormulaE #TokyoEPrix pic.twitter.com/hZKR225QGz
Weather Forecast
Friday: 19°C, Wind 11 km/h, 1% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 11 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Sunday: 23°C, Wind 13 km/h, 46% chance of rain in spots in the afternoon.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
Papaya Power: McLaren’s Statement Weekend
McLaren delivered a flawless performance in Miami GP, walking away with maximum points in both the Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix. In what has become a familiar sight, Oscar Piastri led the charge, claiming his third consecutive Grand Prix victory and cementing his status as the 2025 title favorite.
Saturday’s Sprint was briefly derailed for Piastri by a late-race Safety Car, allowing teammate Lando Norris to swoop in and snatch P1. However, Sunday belonged to Oscar, who cruised to victory after Norris’s early clash with Max Verstappen at Turn 1. The incident forced Norris off track, denying him a proper shot at the win.
Post-race, Norris made headlines by stating, “It’s crash or don’t pass with Max,” accusing Verstappen of “not racing smart.” While Norris showed pace, the challenge now is translating it into strategic, successful racecraft under pressure.
IT’S A PAPAYA DOUBLE PODIUM IN MIAMI! 🧡 #McLaren | #MiamiGP 🏝️ pic.twitter.com/pzvwJUiVQr
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 4, 2025
Verstappen Fights Hard, But Falls Short
Red Bull faced a rare stumble in the Miami GP. Max Verstappen’s weekend began with a nightmare — a 10-second penalty for an unsafe pit release during the Sprint dropped him to P17, marking his first non-scoring finish in nearly a decade.
Yuki Tsunoda salvaged some pride by finishing P6 in the Sprint and grabbing the final point in Sunday’s race. Verstappen’s recovery drive in the Grand Prix was gritty but not enough. After fierce battles with the McLarens and a post-Safety Car shuffle, he found himself stuck behind George Russell, finishing a frustrated P4.
A chaotic Race in Miami comes to a close 🤯
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 4, 2025
Max showed grit with some epic battles to land P4. Yuki stayed sharp, finishing in the points once again.
🏁 PIA, NOR, RUS, Max 👊, ALB, ANT, LEC, HAM, SAI, Yuki 🫶#F1 || #MiamiGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/lDwE15SU8r
Mercedes Returns to the Podium
Kimi Antonelli shocked the grid on Friday with a sensational Sprint pole, showing that Mercedes’ future is bright. But a Turn 1 tangle with Piastri and a drive-through penalty — triggered by Verstappen’s unsafe release — derailed his Sprint hopes.
In Sunday’s race, the rookie started P3 but dropped back to finish P6. George Russell, meanwhile, quietly went about his business. After being outqualified by Antonelli, Russell capitalized on a mid-race Safety Car to leapfrog Verstappen and secure a hard-earned P3 — Mercedes’ first Miami GP podium.
Max Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for unsafe release. He collided with Kimi Antonelli at the pit lane in the sprint race 😱 pic.twitter.com/ef8s2CAjfT
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 3, 2025
That’s P3 and P6 for George and Kimi 👊
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 4, 2025
Another strong weekend for the Team and our first podium in Miami 👏 pic.twitter.com/MERRhu0Heb
Williams Shows True Grit
The Grove-based outfit impressed again with sheer pace. While Saturday’s Sprint didn’t go their way — Carlos Sainz suffered a puncture and Albon missed the top ten — Sunday was a redemption story.
Albon delivered a stellar P5 finish, once again showing his maturity and speed under pressure. Sainz, engaged in a fierce midfield battle, brought home a solid P9. Together, they added 12 points to Williams’ growing tally and continued to punch above their weight.
Bringing TWELVE points back to Grove 😮💨
— Atlassian Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) May 4, 2025
What a weekend for the team 💙#DrivenByMyprotein @Myprotein pic.twitter.com/GPbvRh0HGf
Ferrari: Strategic Misfires and Internal Friction
It was a weekend of contrasts for Ferrari. Saturday saw Charles Leclerc crash on his out lap to the grid, ending his Sprint before it began. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton capitalized on a slick tire gamble to take a surprising P3.
Sunday was far less fruitful. Ferrari lacked race pace, and strategic confusion reigned — with Hamilton on fresher tires stuck behind Leclerc for several laps. Frustrated radio calls highlighted growing tension. The Scuderia crossed the line in P7 and P8, continuing their trend of inconsistent race-day execution.
Lewis Hamilton’s radio messages already deserve their own Netflix series. Drama, sarcasm, and tea breaks included. 😬😬😬😬#F1 #Ferrari #Netflix #TeamLH pic.twitter.com/yHlgCmP8JW
— CHEQUERED FLAG 🏁 (@cfmagindia) May 5, 2025
Aston Martin: Lone Points for Stroll
A chaotic weekend yielded just four points for Aston Martin, courtesy of Lance Stroll’s composed Sunday drive. Fernando Alonso had a forgettable outing, with Sprint-ending contact and a solo spin in the same corner during the race capping off a frustrating weekend.
Our #MiamiGP race results. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/eVvT9Z7i7O
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) May 4, 2025
Alpine’s Tumultuous Turn: On and Off Track
Alpine’s on-track performance continued to underwhelm — Pierre Gasly snatched a single Sprint point, while Jack Doohan’s Grand Prix ended on Lap 1 due to a puncture.
The big story, however, was off-track. Team Principal Oliver Oakes stepped down, replaced by the returning Flavio Briatore. In another shake-up, Doohan was dropped, with Argentine talent Franco Colapinto announced as his replacement for Imola.
BREAKING: As per multiple news reports Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan at Alpine from the upcoming Imola GP 👀#F1 pic.twitter.com/OfGlXrNNKb
— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) May 5, 2025
Standings
Increasing the lead out front! 👏
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025
Here's how the drivers' standings now look after Miami 👇 #F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/yNApX3xpUs
Papaya out front! 👀
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025
Let's take a look at how the teams stack up ⬇️#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/6Ko4UhO1yO
Oscar Piastri now leads the Drivers’ Championship with authority, while McLaren’s back-to-back double podiums have catapulted them into the lead in the Constructors’ standings.
Next Stop: Imola
The paddock now heads to Imola — a track where McLaren traditionally shines. Lando Norris has fond memories here, while Piastri will be keen to extend his winning streak. All eyes will also be on debutant Franco Colapinto and whether Max Verstappen can claw back momentum in the title fight.
Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.
May 7 2025 – a date Jack Doohan will never forget – marked the day that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto was announced as Doohan’s replacement at Alpine. Son of Mick Doohan, Australian rookie Jack Doohan had been under pressure of losing his seat way before he got to start his first full season at Albert Park, his home race. Rumours of him having only 5 races to prove his worth, until eventually being replaced by Colapinto, started spreading across the paddock during F1 testing. And since then, it had only gotten worse for Doohan with his rookie errors, and sub-par performance.
With a top tier start to his karting career, the kid from Gold Coast, Queensland, seemed to be destined for greatness. The son of a five-time MotoGP World Champion, introduced to racing in a kart gifted by a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion – it was a story that set the stage for Doohan’s career. Unfortunately for him, genes and funding were not enough to save his short-lived Formula 1 career at Alpine.
Let’s review his performance across the seven races he took part in as an Alpine driver.
SEASON OPENERS
Jack Doohan had a lukewarm debut in Melbourne, having qualified P14 , with his teammate Pierre Gasly outqualifying him at P9. The wet season opener was a tricky race for the rookies as even F1 veterans, like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, struggled to keep the car on track. Doohan under slippery conditions ended his race in the barriers, at turn 5 on the first lap.
Jack expressed his views on his disappointing start to the season during post-race interviews:
“Lesson Learned.”
Shanghai was an opportunity for Doohan to come back stronger after a disappointing season opener in front of his home crowd. Despite starting the Sprint Race at P16, he finished last at P20.
Jack was also given a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Gabriel Bortoleto, but the penalty made no difference, as he qualified P20 anyway. He was handed another 10-second time penalty during the race for forcing Isack Hadjar off the track, resulting in him finishing P13.
ASIAN TRIPLE HEADER
The Japanese GP was an uneventful race, with the top 10 finishing in the same order as they qualified, apart from Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar swapping between P7 and P8. In contrast, Jack Doohan’s P15 finish, having started 4 places below – at P19 – sounds delightful. But despite his efforts of maintaining a clean race, he’ll be remembered for his crash during FP2. Doohan forgot to manually press the DRS button to close the rear wing flap, resulting in a hefty crash at Turn 1. Although it was similar to Marcus Ericsson’s infamous crash due to DRS failure at Monza 2018, in Doohan’s case, it was confirmed to be a driver error, rather than a mechanical failure.
After the pre-season testing at Bahrain, the teams had enough data about the track and their cars to bring necessary upgrades. Alpine’s package seemed promising as Doohan put his car up at a career-best P11 in qualifying, which he converted into a P14 in the race, earning a 5-second time penalty for impeding track limits.
Jeddah, another uneventful race for Doohan, was where he qualified P17 and ended the race in the same position, while his teammate Gasly retired due to collision damage.
FLAWED AT FLORIDA
Miami being a sprint weekend, provided Doohan with 2 separate racing events to prove his worth to his team. He qualified P17 for the sprint and remained at the back of the field, only finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who dropped to last after his 10-second time penalty. Unfortunately, this seemed to be the highlight of his weekend as he retired after a collision with Lawson on the first lap of the Grand Prix.
Alpine Struggles
The BWT Alpine F1 Team stands at 9th position in the World Constructors Championship 2025 with 7 points – merely one point ahead of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber at 10th. With the Doohan drama going on, Oliver Oakes, Alpine’s team principal, seemed to be his only support within the team. Oakes – who relaunched Hitech GP, a British motor racing team in 2015 – is close with Jack, as he raced for the same team in the F3 Asian Championship in 2019. As power struggles arise within the team during discussions related to Doohan’s future, they issued a statement on 7th May 2025 announcing Oliver’s resignation with immediate effect.
The news of Flavio Briatore taking over Oliver Oakes’ role at the team was music to Colapinto’s ears, as he had been very critical of Doohan from the start while praising the Argentine throughout.
Flavio comments on the situation, denying favouritism rumours:
“I don’t accept it when they say that Doohan was under pressure, because when you arrive in Formula 1, everyone is under pressure.”
Multiple reports claimed that Franco Colapinto was set to replace Doohan from the Imola GP. And just 12 hours after Oliver’s resignment, BWT Alpine F1 Team announces the Franco-Doohan swap with immediate effect. It all lined up perfectly for Franco Colapinto but also for Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, who had been looking for his comeback in Formula 1 after being banned from the sport in 2008 for cheating scandals.
Although it has been stated that Franco makes the step up only for the next 5 races, judging by his past performances and Alpine’s bias towards him, it looks like he is here to stay for the remainder of the season. He will be closely monitored till the Austrian GP as Jack Doohan still stays with the team, taking on the role of first-choice Reserve Driver.
Alpine’s choice to let Franco take the seat, albeit rushed, seems justified. The young Argentine’s Formula 1 track record is exceptional, having made his debut with Williams last year as he replaced the underperforming Logan Sargeant. He performed really well and kept his then-teammate Alex Albon on his toes. In his second race at Baku, he outscored Nicolas Latifi and Logan Sargeant’s total points tally in 68 GPs, finishing P8.
Even though Jack didn’t deliver his best performance, you can’t not feel bad for the rookie. 6 races should not be the benchmark for a rookie to perform at the highest levels, but unfortunately in this day and age of Formula 1, it is pretty much do or die. With multiple young talents waiting for you to slip up, make a mistake, and snatch your seat, average performance sees no place to thrive.
Doohan says, after the swap:
“I will keep my head down, keep working hard.”
It is tough to see someone’s career start with a kart gifted from seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, and end abruptly with only 7 races under his name. Never finishing in points and 2 DNFs; we, with a heavy heart, bid goodbye to Jack Doohan.
Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend
Formula 2 Heads to Imola for the First Leg of a Crucial Triple Header
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