The Australian driver will compete in his first full season in F1 this year. However, he carries a burden that cannot be overlooked—the signing of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver. Doohan emphasized that this does not add additional pressure because Formula 1 is already ruthless on its own.
The start of 2025 will be crucial in determining Jack Doohan’s future in Formula 1 and his chances of staying with Alpine for the entire season. It is no secret that Franco Colapinto’s arrival as a reserve driver—after already being linked to the team at the end of last season—has put the Australian in a difficult position, requiring him to perform well right from the start.
Last year, Doohan made his debut at the Abu Dhabi GP, stepping into the A524 in place of Esteban Ocon, who had left the team one race early to participate in post-season testing with Haas. For the Australian, it was an opportunity to familiarize himself with all the procedures of a race weekend, though he acknowledged that the road ahead would be tough.
Speaking at the season launch event at London’s O2 Arena, where all the teams are unveiling their 2025 liveries tonight, Doohan firmly responded to questions about his future with the French team, highlighting that a year ago, he was in the exact same position as the Argentine.
Since his debut in Abu Dhabi, Jack Doohan has continued his usual off-season preparation ahead of his F1 debut, after spending the first part of the European winter at home in Australia. In recent weeks, he completed a test in Barcelona with the A523 to regain his feel for the track. Franco Colapinto was also present—an opportunity for the Argentine driver to familiarize himself with Alpine and learn the procedures for simulator work, but also a chance for comparison.
Naturally, given the significance of the topic, it was expected that Jack Doohan would have a prepared response to questions and rumors about Franco Colapinto. When asked whether Alpine’s deal with the Argentine added extra pressure on his debut season, Doohan dismissed the notion.
“No. I’ve been told he is the reserve driver. And I think that, regardless, you are one of the 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world. I know that when I was in go-karts, Formula 3, and Formula 2, I would have done anything to be in Formula 1 and would have sacrificed everything,” the Australian said in interviews.
The fact that Colapinto is already part of the team and has even brought in a new sponsor that was with Williams last year does not add extra pressure because F1 is already an unforgiving sport: “So, I don’t necessarily think that, whether it’s someone within the team or outside of it, anyone performing well will always put pressure on you because this sport is so ruthless.”
“But whatever pressure there may be, I’m looking forward to enjoying my Formula 1 season.”
Doohan then briefly responded to a follow-up question on the same topic, which he initially did not fully understand. He was asked whether he felt even more pressure knowing that Franco Colapinto is only 21 years old but has a long-term contract. In reality, Jack Doohan himself, as part of the Alpine Academy, also had a long-term contract.
In fact, in his response, he politely pointed out that last year he was in the exact same position as Franco Colapinto, just as in previous years—an outcome influenced by what happened with Oscar Piastri, whose contract renewal was delayed, ultimately allowing him to leave.
“Last year, I was a 21-year-old reserve driver with a long-term contract. I don’t really understand the question,” Jack Doohan said. A third question on the subject followed, but an Alpine staff member decided to end the discussion, confirming that it is a sensitive issue that will need to be managed carefully in the early races of the season.
In recent weeks, speaking with Motorsport.com, Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes has already insisted that the Australian will have a “fair opportunity” to perform well with the team, making it clear that his fate is not sealed before the season even begins.
Leave a Reply