MIAMI, Fla. — After the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, driver Jack Doohan remained upbeat while speaking to the media, including SB Nation, despite an opening lap incident that resulted in a cut tire, forcing him to end the race before finishing the lap.
The following day, speculation about his future in Formula 1 continued. Doohan started his comments by addressing the incident involving Liam Lawson. “As we know, nothing was intentional,” Doohan explained. “Unfortunately, he got squeezed there. I’m not sure; he might have had another car beside him.”
“We need to keep our heads up. Right now, we’re looking forward to Imola,” he added. However, it’s uncertain whether he will drive in Imola.
Even before the season kicked off, there were whispers about Doohan’s long-term prospects with Alpine, sparked by the team’s signing of Franco Colapinto, a 2024 Super Sub known for his brief but noteworthy appearances on the grid last season. However, there are currently no open seats; Corapinto was signed as a backup.
Rumors intensified prior to the Miami Grand Prix, especially after a supporter of one of the drivers was overheard mentioning that Colapinto was in “Imola’s” car.
During the FIA press conference at the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine team principal Oliver Oaks downplayed the situation, indicating that plans involving Doohan are still in flux.
Plans can change quickly; for instance, the announcement at the end of Sunday that Oaks would not participate in post-race press sessions raised some eyebrows. Perhaps that wasn’t directly related to Doohan’s situation, though.
Various reports from the start of the race suggested a decision to replace Doohan might have been made on Sunday night, potentially placing Colapinto in Doohan’s spot for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in two weeks. SB Nation has not independently verified these claims.
Reflecting on the start of the season during a media session on Sunday evening, Doohan remarked, “Unfortunately, the mistakes I made this weekend were outside my control. But I always need to evaluate if I could handle it better next time.” He added, “I’ll take a little time to reflect, then shift my focus to the upcoming race at Imola.”
Now, we wait to see if he will get that opportunity.
