The 2025 Formula 1 season has seen its fair share of drama and intrigue, with high stakes across the board. From Alpine’s internal struggles to Mercedes and Red Bull’s desperate bids for performance gains, the racing world is buzzing. Here are three of the hottest stories unfolding in the paddock right now.

Alpine’s Shocking Driver Change – Is Jack Doohan’s F1 Dream Over Already?

The spotlight this week is firmly on Alpine, as the French team reportedly considers a mid-season driver change, with Jack Doohan potentially losing his seat before the Imola Grand Prix. Doohan, who had a disastrous outing at the Miami Grand Prix, retiring on the very first lap after contact with teammate Esteban Ocon, has struggled with consistency this season. His string of mistakes, crashes, and lack of results has caused internal tension within the team.

Teammate Pierre Gasly, meanwhile, has quietly outperformed Doohan, showing greater consistency and better performance, even though Alpine hasn’t been a top contender. The team’s impatience with Doohan’s underwhelming results is growing, and insiders suggest that a change may be imminent. Reports indicate that reserve driver Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine, could replace Doohan as early as the next race. Colapinto’s potential promotion has been the subject of growing rumors, especially after a major sponsor of his accidentally revealed plans for his debut at Imola.

Flavio Briatore, an executive advisor at Alpine, has been pushing hard for Colapinto, believing the Argentine has far more potential than Doohan. In a dramatic update, it was revealed that Doohan has already been informed that he will no longer be part of the team, and Colapinto will make his F1 debut in Imola. If no other team picks up Doohan, this could mark the end of his Formula 1 career.

For Colapinto, the Imola race will be crucial. He must quickly prove that he can deliver for Alpine and justify the mid-season switch. It’s a massive opportunity for the young driver but also a major risk for the team, who are still trying to find consistency in their car.

Mercedes’ Major Upgrade – Can They Overcome Their Tire Issues?

Over at Mercedes, the 2025 season has been a roller coaster, with the team struggling to convert their impressive qualifying performances into strong race results. While the car has shown promise, issues with tire wear and race pace have held them back. Both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Hananelli have been forced to manage tire temperatures during races, limiting their performance. Mercedes has now identified the root of the problem—overheating tires—and is ready to address it with a series of technical upgrades set for the Emilia Grand Prix.

The upcoming upgrades will focus on improving the cooling systems, aerodynamic balance, and airflow around the tires. These changes are aimed at reducing overheating and maintaining better grip throughout the race. Technical director James Alison has expressed confidence that once the thermal issues are resolved, Mercedes can fully unleash the potential of their car.

This development package is just the beginning. Mercedes plans to bring more incremental upgrades throughout the season, focusing on tire life, thermal efficiency, and high-speed balance. These updates come at a crucial time, as McLaren and Ferrari continue to set the pace in 2025, and Mercedes needs to close the performance gap. The upcoming races will be critical in determining whether Mercedes can fight for podiums and championships or remain stuck in midfield obscurity.

Red Bull’s High-Stakes Upgrade – A Make or Break Moment for Verstappen?

Finally, the focus shifts to Red Bull Racing, where the team is preparing for a major car upgrade at the Imola Grand Prix. The team has been under growing pressure, not only from rival teams like McLaren but also from within. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, has expressed frustration with the performance inconsistencies of the RB21, particularly with McLaren’s rise to the top.

Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, has confirmed that the team is bringing an extensive and fundamental upgrade to Imola, aimed at improving balance, aerodynamic efficiency, and narrowing the performance gap to McLaren. The team hopes this update will address the critical issues that have plagued the RB21, particularly in high-speed corners and during tire degradation phases.

For Red Bull, this upgrade is more than just about salvaging the 2025 season—it’s about convincing Verstappen to stay long-term. Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, but sources suggest there’s a clause that could allow him to leave if performance metrics aren’t met. The pressure is on, as Red Bull knows that failing to deliver at Imola could lead to Verstappen seeking a move to a rival team, such as Mercedes or Aston Martin.

The team is hopeful that the new upgrades will help close the performance gap to McLaren, but Marko has cautioned that surpassing them won’t be easy. With McLaren emerging as the season’s new benchmark, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Red Bull. If the upgrades work, Red Bull could re-enter the title fight. If not, we may witness one of the most dramatic driver-team separations in modern F1 history.