LONDON — Alpine rookie Jack Doohan has shrugged off suggestions he will be replaced by Franco Colapinto during the coming season.
Doohan’s future in F1 has been immediately complicated by the arrival of the Argentine, who has joined on loan from Williams as reserve driver.
Reports in Argentina have suggested a swap could happen as early as May’s Miami Grand Prix.
Colapinto became an instant sensation in 2024 after replacing Logan Sargeant at Williams.
When asked if he feared being replaced this year, Doohan replied: “No. I’ve been told he’s reserve driver.”
Speaking at F1’s 2025 launch event, Doohan pointed out that pressure and uncertainty comes with the job.
“I think regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world,” he said.
“I know when I was a go-karter, Formula 3, Formula 2, I would have done anything to be in Formula 1, and sacrifice everything. 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 cutthroat sport.
“Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it, and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.”
Ten minutes after Doohan’s press conference, Alpine announced the signing of Argentine sponsor Mercado Libre.
Mercado Libre also joined Williams after Colapinto joined the team at last year’s Italian Grand Prix.
On whether he felt undermined by Colapinto’s place at the team, Doohan said: “I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year, with a long-term contract. But no. I don’t. Maybe I should, I don’t know. I don’t really understand that as a question. But yeah, definitely not.”
Williams have confirmed Colapinto is at Alpine on what is essentially a loan, insisting he will return in future, which further muddies the waters of what might happen down the line.
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Source: espn.com