Jack Doohan offers stern response to awkward Franco Colapinto query amid F1 sack concern

Jack Doohan gave a stern response to feeling undermined by Alpine signing former Williams F1 driver Franco Colapinto as reserve driver, sparking speculation that the Australian’s seat was already under pressure

Jack Doohan shrugged off any feeling of being ‘undermined’ by the addition of Franco Colapinto to the Alpine F1 team.

Doohan, who raced for Alpine in the final race of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi, has been rewarded with the full-time seat.

However, Alpine announced former Williams driver Colapinto as the team’s reserve driver, sparking fears that Doohan was under threat of being dropped before the season even begins.

Speaking to the press, the Aussie asserted that Colapinto joining the Enstone team doesn’t add pressure on him as he gears up for his debut F1 season.

Doohan, 21, insisted he remains unfazed after speculation surrounding Colapinto’s long-term contract he agreed with Alpine chief Flavio Briatore.

Rumours have suggested Doohan’s Alpine contract includes a six-race break clause which could see Colapinto replace him and line-up alongside Pierre Gasly.

Speaking to the media, Doohan addressed the talk concerning Colapinto’s role: “No. I’ve been told that he is reserve driver.

“And regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula One drivers in the world, and I know when I was a go-karter and in Formula Three, Formula Two, I would do anything to be in Formula One and sacrifice everything.

“So I don’t think necessarily someone inside the team, outside the team, anyone who is performing well… you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cut-throat sport.

“Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it and just enjoying my Formula One season.”

When questioned whether he felt undermined by Colapinto’s arrival, the Aussie racer replied: “I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year with a long-term contract (like Colapinto). But no, I don’t. Maybe I should.”

Doohan is hoping his Abu Dhabi debut will give him a head start on his fellow rookies and help establish his place within the Alpine team. Despite the Gold Coast-born star struggling to match Gasly’s pace that weekend, he gained invaluable experience ahead of his full-time role.

“It was a great weekend, mainly for me to get my head around actually driving throughout the weekend, being in the driver’s seat. Obviously I’ve seen how the weekends take place from a third-person point of view, let’s say,” Doohan said.

“But actually being there, knowing my structure, knowing my Sunday race structure – how much time I have between meetings, drivers’ parades, the time between the national anthem and hopping in the car.

“All little things that can add one or two beats to the heart rate that is going to be a little bit less in Albert Park. That’s really the greatest thing for me. Obviously, [completing] a race distance as well was great.”