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Formula 1 Austrian GP: Russell Clinches Dramatic Victory

Mercedes’ George Russell emerged victorious in the 11th round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship in Austria following a collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.

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11 months ago

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Formula 1 Austrian GP: Russell Clinches Dramatic Victory

The benefits go to the third litigant between the two: The Austrian Grand Prix was won by George Russell. With his second career victory after the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, the Englishman capitalized on the intense duel between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. After the Dutchman’s final pit stop, where he experienced an issue with his left rear tire and lost a significant amount of his lead, the fight broke out. While Norris utilized a fresh set of yellow tires on the same lap, giving him a performance edge. The world champion fitted a pair of old medium tires.

Red Bull Takes Flight in Austrian GP Free Practice 1

The Austrian Grand Prix weekend kicked off, and Friday’s sole free practice session. It offered a glimpse into the potential battles brewing for the rest of the race.

Max Verstappen, the reigning champion and fresh off his Canadian victory, wasted no time showcasing his comfort on the Red Bull Ring. He topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1, putting in a strong showing on his home track. However, his session wasn’t entirely smooth sailing. A suspected software glitch caused a brief red flag as his car came to a halt on the pit straight. Luckily, the issue was resolved quickly, and Verstappen was back on track with minimal disruption.

Max stopped due to a software glitch

Mclaren of Oscar Piastri showed a strong performance by securing 2nd place. Scuderia Ferrari had a decent showing, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finishing third and fourth respectively. After a few positive weekends for the Enstone operation, Esteban Ocon led the Alpine assault in sixth place, finishing ahead of Russell, Yuki Tsunoda of RB, and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, who struggled with a steering column issue the whole session.

Fernando Alonso made it two Aston Martins in the top ten. Pierre Gasly and Perez, drivers for Alpine and Red Bull, followed in 11th and 12th, while Lando Norris finished in 13th in his McLaren after a near-failure late lap on softs that was ruined by a tumble through the Turn 4 gravel.

Sprint Qualifying

The battle for the Austrian Sprint grid commenced with a flurry of activity in the sole practice session.

SQ Results

SQ1: As Sprint Qualifying got underway, the tension was palpable. After a quiet initial phase, drivers swarmed the pit lane around the three-minute mark, all sporting the mandatory new medium tires. Hamilton attempted an early lap but found himself facing a deleted time due to exceeding track limits at Turn 1. His teammate Russell, however, managed to snag the provisional P1 spot initially.

The early order saw big names like Ricciardo and Alonso teetering on the edge of elimination alongside Hamilton with his scrubbed lap. As the clock ticked down, most drivers returned to the track in a desperate attempt to secure a spot in Q2. While Alonso and Hamilton managed to improve their times, they could only climb to P11 and P12 respectively, highlighting the competitiveness of the midfield.

On the other hand, Logan Sargeant clawed his way out of the danger zone, reaching P14. However, several drivers weren’t so fortunate. Tsunoda scraped through to Q2 in P15 despite a heart-stopping spin on his final lap, while Ricciardo wasn’t as lucky, bowing out in P16. Similarly, Hulkenberg and the Sauber duo of Bottas and Zhou failed to progress beyond Q1, ending their qualifying runs in P17, P18, and P20 respectively. Albon initially seemed safe but was pushed back into the elimination zone, settling for P19 to round out the bottom five.

Key Eliminations: Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Albon, Zhou.

SQ2: Verstappen and his teammate Perez wasted no time in setting the pace as the ten-minute window for Q2 opened. Verstappen laid down an early benchmark with a 1:05.186s lap, putting him a tenth of a second clear of Russell in P2.

Only eight drivers managed to set initial lap times, all on the mandatory new medium tires. The remaining seven, including Sargeant, Alonso, Gasly, Magnussen, and Tsunoda, joined the fray in the final minutes, with those at risk needing a significant improvement to survive.

Gasly managed to climb to P10, just behind his Alpine teammate Ocon in P9. However, Stroll’s wild moment at Turn 10 saw him plummet into the elimination zone. Magnussen narrowly missed out on Q3, finishing P11 with a time less than a tenth off Gasly’s. Stroll’s misfortune continued as he exited in P12, marking a forgettable day for Aston Martin as Alonso also failed to progress, settling for P13.

Tsunoda (P14) and Sargeant (P15) couldn’t find the pace to advance either, although Sargeant can take solace in out-qualifying his Williams teammate Albon.

Key Eliminations: Magnussen, Stroll, Alonso, Tsunoda, Sargeant

SQ3: The eight-minute Q3 session began with a cautious approach as everyone bided their time in the pits. With just three minutes remaining, the Mercedes duo of Russell and Hamilton broke the silence, heading out first. They were quickly followed by a queue of cars, all on the soft compound tires mandated for this segment.

The drama unfolded for Leclerc as he inexplicably stopped in the pit lane before managing to get his Ferrari going again. Unfortunately, he couldn’t reach the checkered flag in time to set a lap and missed out on the top-10 shootout altogether.

Norris put in a strong showing initially, setting the fastest time among those who had completed their laps. However, Verstappen stole the thunder with a phenomenal 1:04.686s lap on the softs, securing pole position by a narrow margin of 0.093 seconds over Norris.

“It’s great to be first here in front of, basically, my home fans, my home Grand Prix, It was a good day so far.”

-max Verstappen

The other McLaren of Piastri followed in P3, while Russell, Sainz, and Hamilton rounded out the top six. Perez started from P7, with Ocon and Gasly (Alpine) lining up in P8 and P9 respectively. Leclerc’s pit lane mishap left him with a disappointing P10 to start the Sprint race.

Sprint Race

Verstappen Holds Off McLaren Onslaught to Claim Austrian Sprint Glory!

The Austrian Grand Prix Sprint race was a spicy affair, packed with wheel-to-wheel action and a surprise early challenge from the resurgent McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen, starting from pole, fended off a fierce attack from the young guns to secure his second Sprint win of the season.

The race was shortened to 23 laps due to a safety concern with an extra formation lap, but the drama unfolded right from the start. Norris held off a determined Piastri for second, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz got tangled up with a feisty George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen couldn’t shake Norris’ DRS early on, leading to some intense defensive maneuvers at Turns 3 and 4. On lap five, Norris lunged at Turn 3, forcing Verstappen deep. Piastri pounced, stealing second place from his teammate in the following DRS zone.

Despite a slight wobble, Verstappen managed to retake the lead from Norris. Meanwhile, the battle for second became a McLaren duel, with Norris relentlessly chasing Piastri. Russell capitalized on the McLaren fight to snatch fourth from Sainz.

By lap 10, Verstappen broke free from DRS range, putting his Red Bull into cruise control. Norris closed the gap on Piastri but couldn’t find a way past, settling for a podium finish behind his teammate. Russell finished a lonely fourth, with Sainz fending off a determined Hamilton for fifth.

Charles Leclerc’s race took a dramatic turn for the better with a stellar opening lap, jumping from tenth to seventh. Further down the grid, Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg is under investigation for a questionable maneuver on Fernando Alonso, potentially forcing the Spaniard off track.

Verstappen’s victory solidifies his dominance on Red Bull’s home turf. However, the real story of the race is the resurgent McLaren. Norris and Piastri’s early challenge and podium finish sends a strong message to the rest of the grid. With the Grand Prix looming, can McLaren continue to threaten Red Bull, or will Verstappen maintain his Austrian reign?

Main Race Qualifying

The Austrian mountains provided a picturesque backdrop, but the real drama unfolded on the sizzling Spielberg tarmac. Here’s the lowdown on the three-part fight for glory:

The lights went green, and the battle for a top-10 spot began. Early favorites like Verstappen and Ferrari’s Sainz lived up to the hype, setting the pace with blistering laps. However, the fight to avoid elimination was fierce. Shockingly, experienced veterans like Valtteri Bottas and Fernando Alonso couldn’t find the pace and were knocked out in Q1. They were joined by Logan Sargeant and Zhou Guanyu, along with Lance Stroll.

Q2 saw Verstappen flex his muscles, laying down a lap time over half a second faster than the rest. The fight for second was tight, with Russell and Sainz setting identical times. However, heartbreak struck for Racing Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian driver, who has struggled this season, couldn’t find the pace and was eliminated alongside Kevin Magnussen, Pierre Gasly, and Yuki Tsunoda.

Q3 was briefly delayed as marshals cleared debris from the track. When the action resumed, Verstappen wasn’t done yet. He further improved his time, securing his fourth consecutive Austrian Grand Prix pole position. But surprise challenger Lando Norris stole the show, putting together a phenomenal lap to claim second on the grid, leaving the Mercedes duo of Russell and Hamilton behind.

Adding to the drama, Lewis Hamilton faces an investigation for a clumsy pitlane incident where he knocked over his rear jack. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also had a forgettable session, damaging his car after going off track at Turn 9.

Verstappen continued his Austrian dominance by securing his fifth consecutive pole at the Red Bull Ring, a first for him at any track. Joined on the front row by Lando Norris, mirroring the Sprint race results.

Behind them, the grid saw several interesting stories unfold. George Russell secured his best-ever qualifying at the Red Bull Ring with P3. Carlos Sainz finally out-qualified Charles Leclerc after a seven-race drought. Lewis Hamilton, struggling this season, managed a P5 finish, a rare top-six showing. A mistake on his last lap dropped Charles Leclerc to P6. The Ferrari driver is yet to get a top-four start since his Monaco victory.

The Race

The Austrian Grand Prix 2024 was nothing short of a thriller, filled with intense battles, strategic gambits, and unexpected twists that kept fans on the edge of their seats. George Russell emerged victorious, seizing his second career win amid a race peppered with drama and collisions.

Formula 1 Austrian GP: Russell Clinches Dramatic Victory

A Frenetic Start and Early Drama

Polesitter Max Verstappen led the charge into Turn 1, quickly establishing a gap over Lando Norris and George Russell. Behind them, Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz engaged in a fierce duel. Oscar Piastri forced wide at Turn 4 by Sergio Perez, dropping him to seventh. Charles Leclerc’s race took an early hit as he required a new front wing after contact with Piastri.

As Verstappen pulled away from Norris, Hamilton overtook Russell for third at Turn 3 on lap three, only to be repassed by Russell. Sainz then overtook Hamilton for fourth on lap seven, following team orders. Piastri impressed by passing Perez around the outside at Turn 6 a lap later.

The pit stops added another layer of complexity to the race. Hamilton was the first to pit but received a five-second penalty for crossing line at the pit entry. Perez was also penalized for speeding in the pitlane. Alonso’s race took a downturn as punted Zhou Guanyu off at Turn 3 on lap 20, earning a ten-second penalty.

Verstappen and Norris pitted simultaneously on lap 30, with Verstappen narrowly avoiding a penalty for an unsafe release. This momentarily handed the lead to Piastri, who pitted a few laps later, rejoining in sixth. Verstappen then sprinted to a seven-second lead, but a slow second stop due to a stubborn left-rear tire put Norris right on his tail.

With fresh mediums, Norris closed the gap to Verstappen, and their lead battle exploded on lap 59. Norris lunged ahead at Turn 3 but ran wide and had to give the position back. Four laps later, they collided at Turn 3, resulting in punctures for both and Norris retiring from the race. This incident handed Russell the lead under a virtual safety car.

Russell drove impeccably to maintain a gap over Piastri and Sainz. Hamilton, who had been battling various penalties and challenges throughout the race, managed to hold onto fourth. Verstappen, rejoining in sixth after his collision with Norris, received a ten-second penalty for causing the collision but clawed back.

Russell inherited a 2.6-second victory over Piastri, who impressed with a strong performance. Sainz completed the podium, with Hamilton and Verstappen rounding out the top five. Nico Hulkenberg outperformed Perez in a battle for sixth, followed by Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, and Pierre Gasly completing the top ten.

This dramatic race at the Red Bull Ring showcased the unpredictability and excitement of Formula 1, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next round. As the championship battle intensifies, every point and every position counts, promising more high-octane action in the races to come.

Championship Standings

Verstappen extended his championship lead at the top while Leclerc scored 0 points allowing Norris to close the gap to Max. 

Final race of the Tripe-Header

The next race in the 2024 Formula 1 season is the British Grand Prix, set to take place at the iconic Silverstone Circuit. The action-packed weekend will run from Friday, July 5th to Sunday, July 7th. The race promises to be a thrilling homecoming for the British drivers. A crucial battleground in the ongoing championship fight. Fans can look forward to practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the main race on Sunday. All the drivers will push their limits on one of the fastest tracks in the calendar.

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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.

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4 days ago

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May 16, 2025

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Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend
Credit - Formula 1

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

Track layout for the Imola GP.
Credit – Formula 1


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

Formula 1 Heads to Imola GP: What to look out for this weekend
Credit – Pirelli


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

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.

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.

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.

Weekend Schedule

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.

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Miami GP Thrills: Piastri’s Hat-Trick Seals McLaren’s Domination

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2 weeks ago

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May 8, 2025

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Miami GP Thrills: Piastri’s Hat-Trick Seals McLaren’s Domination
Credit - the-race.com

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.


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.

Miami GP - Max Verstappen
Credit – Red Bull Content Pool

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Standings


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.

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Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

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2 weeks ago

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May 7, 2025

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Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

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.

Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto

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 Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

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.

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