Oscar Piastri has shared support for Jack Doohan following the news that the Alpine driver will lose his race seat from the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend.
More rumours swirled over Doohan’s future last time out in Miami and, after a difficult weekend that culminated in a collision at the start of the Grand Prix, Alpine announced that he was to be replaced.
Reserve driver Franco Colapinto – who raced for Williams over the second half of last season – will take Doohan’s spot in a seat “rotation” for at least the next five rounds, with the Australian remaining “an integral part of the team” and their “first-choice” back-up.
2025 Miami Grand Prix: Doohan out of the race after Lap 1 clash with Lawson
Speaking just before the news was communicated by Alpine, who also accepted the resignation of team boss Oliver Oakes this week, Piastri sympathised with his fellow racer – and backed him for a “successful” future.
“I think if it is the end of the road for Jack, he can be very proud of firstly making it to F1,” Piastri told the Wide World of Sports show.
“It’s not an easy thing, especially coming from Australia – there’s a lot of hard decisions along the way.
“If he has had his final race, I think hold your head up high, you’ve been an F1 driver, and no one can take that away from you.”
Colapinto will take Doohan’s seat from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola
Pondering what might be next for the 22-year-old, Piastri commented: “I’m sure he’ll have a successful career in whatever happens.”
Piastri himself previously represented Alpine as a junior and reserve driver, before parting ways with the organisation in controversial circumstances and making his F1 debut for McLaren in 2023.
While Australia loses part of its representation on the F1 grid with Doohan’s demotion, Piastri continues to fly the flag for the country – while sitting atop the Drivers’ Championship standings.
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