Defiant Doohan snaps back at Colapinto replacement rumours

Alpine driver Jack Doohan has issued a firm response to questions about his long-term Formula 1 future after his team signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver.

Alpine made a move for Colapinto to bolster its future options, with the Argentinian one of three reserve drivers for this year alongside Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa.

Colapinto generally impressed on his nine-race stint for Williams last year, and has also brought Argentinian sponsor Mercado Libre with him to the Enstone-based squad.

Having such a proven F1 calibre driver ready to go has fuelled remous that suggested Doohan, who has just one start to his name at last year’s Abu Dhabi season finale, only has a few races to prove his worth and could be replaced at short notice if he doesn’t deliver straight away.

But ahead of F1’s 75th anniversary launch at London’s O2 Arena, Doohan shrugged off any suggestions Colapinto’s arrival is already putting him under more pressure than any other debutant.

“No, I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver,” he said. “And I think, regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world. I know when I was a go-karter, in Formula 3, Formula 2 – I would do anything to be in Formula 1 and sacrifice everything.

“So, [whether] it’s someone inside the team, outside the team, anyone that’s performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cut-throat sport.

“But whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.”

Franco Colapinto, Williams

Photo by: Erik Junius

Pressed on the topic by another journalist on whether Alpine hiring the 21-year-old Colapinto undermined his position, Doohan snapped back: “Is that a question? I was a 21-year-old reserve driver [too] 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 definitely not.”

Speaking to Motorsport.com earlier this year, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes already insisted Doohan would get a “fair chance” to impress at the squad, and Pierre Gasly also voiced his support for his new team-mate.

“I know Jack is a great person and a great driver; I’ve seen him develop and we’ve given him his chance,” the Frenchman added.

“I won’t comment any further. As a rookie, it’s never easy to get into F1, and there’s no need to make things more complicated than they need to be.”