With four hungry reserves in line, Alpine reassures Jack Doohan he remains their man—if his on-track performance stays sharp.
Alpine F1 Team Principal Oliver Oakes has stepped up to defend the team’s bold decision to sign no fewer than four reserve drivers for 2025, as questions swirl around the pressure on young talent Jack Doohan.
Doohan, currently under the spotlight, is facing intense competition—not just from one rising star, but several. Flavio Briatore, a senior advisor at Alpine, recently made waves in Shanghai by declaring that Franco Colapinto is bound to get a shot in the main seat “sooner or later.” Understandably, that’s stirred the pot for the 21-year-old Australian.
“I’ve got someone eyeing my seat,” Doohan admitted. “Actually, not just one—four of them. All of them, not just Franco, probably want my spot. Same goes for Pierre [Gasly]’s. We’re both under pressure—but that’s Formula 1.”
Alpine’s expanding lineup includes Paul Aron, who was already part of the program, followed by Colapinto, Ryo Hirakawa, and most recently Kush Maini, a 24-year-old Formula 2 driver from India.
Oakes defends Alpine’s vision as driver pressure builds
Oakes remains firm in the team’s strategy, emphasizing that this depth is part of a long-term vision.
“Paul was already in the fold, and Franco came along as a future-facing opportunity,” Oakes explained. “The driver market is changing fast. We need strong reserves—for testing, for simulator work, and for development.”
He also stressed that Doohan and Gasly have nothing to fear—as long as they deliver on track.
“Of course, no main driver likes this kind of pressure. But Pierre and Jack know they have our full support. If they perform, there’s no reason to worry.”
Team Doohan Stays Cool Amid Colapinto Rumors
“No point thinking about rumors, let alone commenting on them.”
Jack Doohan and his legendary father, five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan, remain calm and confident as pressure builds around Jack’s rookie Formula 1 season with Alpine.
Even before the lights went out in Melbourne — and Jack’s race ended with a crash on lap one — whispers were already swirling about his future with the team.
Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore turned up the heat by admitting Doohan’s seat isn’t locked in for the full season. Meanwhile, highly-rated Williams junior Franco Colapinto is waiting in the wings, ready to step in if needed.
“It’s a tough spot for him,” said former F1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle. “I saw a photo with four drivers — Gasly, Doohan, Colapinto, and Aron. If I were Jack, I’d be thinking, ‘This should be a two-man shoot, not four.’”
The mounting pressure may have played a role in Jack’s early exit during his first home Grand Prix. But in the paddock, he found support where it matters most.
“My dad came up to me and just said, ‘That white line — what a joke.’ Having someone like him around, who’s been through the highs and lows, really helps,” Jack shared.
Behind the scenes, the Doohan camp isn’t showing any signs of panic.
“Speaking with Mick, he’s calm,” said Brundle, who has known the Doohan family for years. “Jack’s been reassured about his contract.”
Still, the mental strain is real.
“When your future feels uncertain, it’s hard not to overthink it. I’ve been there,” Brundle added. “You start worrying about crashing, and that just makes it worse.”
Jack has also pushed back against persistent rumors — particularly those from Argentine media — suggesting his contract only covers the first few races before Colapinto takes over when F1 returns to Europe.
“There’s no point reacting to rumors,” Jack said. “I’ve got a contract for at least this year, possibly longer. I’m focused on racing — especially the home Grands Prix I’ve got coming up.”
“As for the talk behind my back — I don’t care. I know the job I have to do every time I step into the car, no matter what’s being said.”
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Oakes: Doohan Has Alpine’s Full Support Amid Rising Pressure Oakes: Doohan Has Alpine’s Full Support Amid Rising Pressure
