Helmut Marko Criticizes Jack Doohan, Predicts Early Exit from Alpine

Red Bull’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, has openly criticized Alpine’s rookie driver, Jack Doohan, ahead of the highly anticipated Australian Grand Prix. Marko, known for his sharp assessments, labeled Doohan as a “C-rate driver” and suggested that his tenure in the 2025 Formula 1 season might be short-lived.

Will Jack Doohan Complete the F1 2025 Season?

Jack Doohan, son of Australian motorsport icon Mick Doohan, secured a seat alongside Pierre Gasly at Alpine for the 2025 season. His signing was confirmed during the Dutch Grand Prix, just days before Franco Colapinto was promoted to a race seat at Williams. However, speculation is mounting that Doohan’s contract may not extend beyond the opening races, with Alpine’s reserve driver Colapinto rumored to be in line for a mid-season call-up.

Sources suggest that Doohan’s continued presence in F1 will be performance-dependent, aligning with the high-stakes nature of the sport. Having previously been part of Red Bull’s renowned junior academy from 2017 to 2021, Doohan transitioned to Alpine’s program in 2022. Despite his history with the young driver, Marko remained blunt in his assessment, stating, “He is a ‘C’. I don’t think he will complete the season.”

Marko Assesses the 2025 F1 Rookies

Marko, speaking on Red Bull’s media channel Servus TV, went on to evaluate the other rookies on the 2025 grid, including Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber), Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Oliver Bearman (Haas), and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls). He expressed doubts about Bortoleto’s raw speed, despite his impressive back-to-back F3 and F2 championship victories.

“I would classify him as a ‘B’ driver. He’s intelligent and consistent but lacks the pure speed needed to dominate in F1,” Marko remarked. Meanwhile, Antonelli, widely regarded as the most exciting young talent since Max Verstappen, faces immense pressure as he steps into Lewis Hamilton’s former Mercedes seat. “His potential is elite, but jumping straight into a top team presents challenges,” Marko added.

Rising Stars and Their F1 Potential

Bearman, who gained valuable F1 experience substituting for Ferrari and Haas in 2024, was described as aggressive but prone to mistakes. Marko noted, “He’s incredibly fast but has a high-risk driving style that could hinder his progression.” Meanwhile, Hadjar, the latest Red Bull academy graduate, earned an ‘A’ rating from Marko, with the caveat that he must learn to control his emotions under pressure. “Hadjar lost the F2 title due to technical issues and errors, but his raw speed is undeniable,” he explained.

As the F1 2025 season unfolds, the pressure mounts on Jack Doohan to prove himself on the track. With Alpine keeping a close watch on performance, the Australian driver must deliver results quickly to secure his place in the sport’s most competitive racing series.