Alpine 'make decision' on sacking Jack Doohan as F1 driver market saga takes fresh twist

Jack Doohan's Formula 1 future had been up in the air following a miserable start to life in the sport, with reports claiming the Australian had six races to save his seat

Jack Doohan's position is said to be secure until the summer break following his standout performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The future of the 22-year-old Australian racer has been uncertain since he made his Formula 1 debut in Abu Dhabi last December.

Doohan started the season amidst a flurry of rumours linking newcomer Franco Colapinto to his seat. Reports suggested that the rookie had just six races to demonstrate his value, with the Argentinian driver waiting in the wings as an Alpine test and reserve driver and being primed to take over from the Aussie.

The speculation intensified when Doohan began the year on a low note. He crashed on the opening lap of a tumultuous, rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix and earned four penalty points for two clumsy incidents in China the following weekend.

In Japan, he experienced a horrifying crash in FP2 after failing to close the DRS on the approach to turn one, fuelling further doubts about his future. However, in Bahrain, Doohan's form took a turn for the better.

The Gold Coast-born driver impressed in qualifying, securing a P11 starting grid slot and demonstrated speed during the Grand Prix. He spent most of the race in Bahrain within the points-paying positions but was pushed out after a late safety car left him disadvantaged in terms of tyres, reports the Express.

The Race reports that Alpine chiefs are convinced enough to extend Doohan's stint in his debut season. The Aussie's rapport with team-mate Pierre Gasly is said to have instilled confidence, and his integration within the team has also influenced their decision.

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This move gives Doohan a much-needed breather, and following a strong weekend in Bahrain, the 22-year-old can now capitalise on this momentum as he heads into the final race of the early-season triple-header at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

"He's done a good job this weekend and in general," said team principal Oliver Oakes on Sunday. "I know Japan FP1 caught him out a bit.

"But I think this weekend, particularly throughout qualifying, Q1, the first run of Q2 - I think the last run in Q2, he is a little bit disappointed because it was just half a tenth [away from Q3]. But then in the race as well, those first two stints, he was doing a really good job.

"At the end there, I think it was tricky. The safety car bunched everyone up. Competitiveness-wise, it was hard with those cars around you. But I think he's had a good weekend."