Alpine, Renault’s struggling factory team, is set to become a customer team in 2025 as they plan to switch to Mercedes engines. The team has faced numerous challenges with their in-house power unit, leading to a disappointing year on the track. On the other hand, Sauber/Audi has had a rough season as well, failing to score any points so far. The team has been plagued by issues such as poor pitstops and a lack of pace, resulting in a somber atmosphere in their garage. However, there is hope for the future as the team is currently recruiting new talent, including Mattia Bintotto as chief technical officer and operating officer, and Jonathan Wheatley as team manager, both joining from Ferrari and Red Bull respectively.
Both teams have confirmed one driver for their 2025 lineup. Pierre Gasly will continue racing for Alpine while Nico Hulkenberg will make the switch to Audi/Sauber after two seasons with Haas. However, the second seats for both teams are still up for grabs.
Alpine has faced a lot of negative attention in 2024. The car was overweight during pre-season testing, resulting in a slow performance on the track. This meant that Gasly and Ocon had a difficult time competing and found themselves at the back of the pack. The team also faced internal issues, with key technical figures leaving after a disastrous race in Bahrain. The chaos continued in Monaco when Gasly and Ocon collided on the opening lap, leading to Ocon’s retirement. Team principal Bruno Famin even hinted at the possibility of their reserve driver, Jack Doohan, getting a surprise call-up for the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite these challenges, Alpine is entering a new era as they prepare for the second half of the season. Famin will be replaced by Oliver Oakes, the young team principal of Hitech Grand Prix, adding a fresh perspective to the team.
As for the driver lineup, Gasly is confirmed to stay with Alpine, while Ocon is moving to Haas. This leaves one seat available. Valtteri Bottas, who is currently without a contract at Stake/Audi, is a strong contender due to his experience and ability to perform well in subpar cars. Mick Schumacher, who previously raced for Haas, is also a possibility for the second seat. He has spent a year on Alpine’s sportscar team and has prior Formula 1 experience.
Overall, both Alpine and Sauber/Audi are hoping for a fresh start in 2025. With new technical figures and potential driver changes, they aim to improve their performance and leave behind the struggles of the current season.
Jack Doohan, the son of five-time world motorcycle champion Mick Doohan, is expected to secure the second seat at Alpine. Despite his famous surname, Doohan earned his place in Formula 1 through his impressive junior career and two years of work as Alpine’s reserve driver.
Doohan’s journey to Formula 1 began at the age of three when he received a go-kart from his father’s former neighbor, Michael Schumacher. He quickly showed his talent, winning the Australian go-karting championship in 2015 and 2016.
Red Bull recognized Doohan’s potential and signed him to their junior team in 2017. He transitioned to cars in 2018, competing in the British Formula 4 championship and finishing fifth overall. In 2019, he moved to the Euroformula European Championship, where he achieved two podium finishes.
Despite a challenging rookie season in Formula 3 with HWA Racelab in 2020, Doohan caught the attention of Trident, a top Italian team, who signed him for the following year. With a competitive car, Doohan showcased his skills, securing four wins and finishing as the runner-up in the drivers’ standings.
In 2022, Doohan joined the Alpine Academy, positioning himself as the second in line for a potential Formula 1 drive behind Oscar Piastri. The following year, he made his debut in Formula 2 with UNI-Virtuosi, impressing with three race wins and a sixth-place finish in the drivers’ standings.
Rather than continuing in Formula 2 for a third year, Doohan dedicated 2024 to his role as Alpine’s reserve driver. This involved extensive testing, late-night simulator sessions, and occasional appearances in FP1.
As for Audi/Sauber, they have been unable to fill the second seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg. Despite their interest in Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon, both drivers opted to join Williams and Haas, respectively. As a result, Audi/Sauber is exploring other options for the 2025 season. Valtteri Bottas, who seemed to be on his way out of Formula 1, now has a good chance of retaining his seat.
Liam Lawson, the Kiwi driver who filled in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri in 2023, is now eyeing the second seat at Audi for 2025. However, there is no guarantee that he will secure a spot at Red Bull’s sister team RB, so he is exploring other options. One potential contender for the seat is McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto, who is currently second in the F2 standings. Italian publication formu1a.uno reports that Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is a fan of Bortoleto and is willing to buy him out of his McLaren contract. Bortoleto, a rising star from Sao Paulo, has had a remarkable journey from the junior ranks. He became the F3 champion in 2023, just four years after ending his go-kart career. This season, he claimed his first victory in the F2 Feature race in Austria and has already stood on the podium four times.
Photo from Audi F1 Team Instagram
