The Formula 1 edit

Having a week in between races gives time for some drama and controversy to make its way around the track!

jack doohan stepping down from alpine

Australian Alpine driver Jack Doohan started this season off as a rookie. Formerly he was Alpine’s reserve driver in prior seasons, but he received a promotion to a full-time seat for the 2025 racing year. During his first race as a driver in the Australian grand prix, Doohan spun out and received a DNF. He finished 15th in the Chinese grand prix and during practice round 2 in Japan, he crashed his car into the wall, causing damage that seemed beyond repair. Doohan was the unfortunate victim of a penalty in Bahrain and finished P14. P17 in the Saudi Arabian grand prix, and he didn’t get a chance to finish even one lap in the Miami grand prix due to contact with VCARB driver Liam Lawson. Needless to say, Jack Doohan has had a pretty rough start as a Formula 1 rookie. Alpine’s team principal, Flavio Briatore, seems like he doesn’t mess around. Doohan’s consistent scores below the points just won’t do for the Italian business man. Starting as soon as the next race, Alpine has made the executive decision for Jack Doohan to step down as a full-time driver to take his place yet again as Alpine’s reserve driver. Starting instantly, Franco Colapinto will retire his position as reserve driver and become a full-time driver next to Pierre Gasly. Franco Colapinto is a 21 year old Argentine racer who took over as reserve driver for Alpine when Jack Doohan secured his seat on the team. Colapinto now has a chance to prove himself as a driver. Unfortunately, Colapinto having a shot means Doohan is losing his. We can only hope that one day we will see the young driver back on the circuit with a car that suits him.

christian horner stepping down as red bull’s team principal

In more recent news, Red Bull’s team principal of twenty years, Christian Horner, has issued a statement declaring that he will be stepping down from his position. Horner released the following statement:

“After years of dedication to Red Bull Racing, I feel it is time for a new chapter in my career. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and I am confident that the team will continue to thrive.”

The reasons for his departure are unknown, but nonetheless, it still sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 industry and community. Horner has accomplished many a great thing with Max Verstappen as his number one driver, and at the present time he is widely recognized as one of the most successful team principals ever. F1 fans are very curious as to why Red Bull decided to sack their team principal at the beginning of the season, but no one knows the true reason. One possible idea is because of how the Red Bull car has been delivering this 2025 season, only securing one podium in the Japanese grand prix. Christian Horner was also under speculation for an accusation made against him in 2024 by a female colleague who claimed that Horner used “controlling and coercive behavior” against her. The accusations were dropped but fans can’t help but wonder if she was possibly paid off by the British team principal and this is the reason that he was sacked from the team. One question that we may have an answer to, though, is who will replace Horner as team principal. It is still not confirmed but many are speculating that Alpine’s ex-boss Oliver Oaks, who resigned from his position at the French racing team only a week ago, will take over as Red Bull’s team principal. Another possible replacement would be that of Franz Tost, who ran Red Bull’s junior racing team VCARB for 18 years before retiring his duties in 2023. Only time will tell if our speculations are correct or if we are far from the truth!

I’ll see you guys at the Imola circuit! xx