Ahead of his second Formula 1 race at Albert Park in Melbourne next month, Jack Doohan faced plenty of questions about Franco Colapinto and his Alpine F1 drive.
Colapinto signed for Alpine F1 over the winter. It immediately led to suggestions that the Australian driver was on the back foot. Pit Debrief learned that Doohan faces a 6-race audition to avoid the axe.
Relaxed about his future
Speaking in London today at a media event ahead of the F1 75 show tonight, the 21-year-old from Queensland was not too fussed about the noise about his future
He is looking forward to perform on track. Doohan is embracing the pressure that comes with being a F1 driver.
“No. I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver.
“I think regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula One 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.
“I don’t think necessarily 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 cutthroat sport.
“But whatever pressure there may be, I’m looking forward to enjoying that. You know, embracing it. And yeah, just enjoying my Formula 1 season.
Not feeling undermined
Put to him if he felt undermined by the fact that Alpine F1 had signed Colapinto, Doohan was left a bit perplexed by the question.
“I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year on 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. Definitely not.”
Alpine’s press officer cut off a third question that was asked to Doohan about Colapinto.
What would be a successful rookie season?
Attention eventually turned to how he expects to fair on the circuit this year.
Although Doohan made his F1 bow at the Abu Dhabi GP last December, he is very much a rookie. While he has done plenty of running via TPC, as well as some practice sessions, he faces a race against time to be up to speed once the season starts in Melbourne.
Nonetheless, the former F2 and F3 race winner aims to deliver the maximum possible if he has a car he can fight for points with.
“Yeah, for me it would be a successful rookie season […] we’ll find out very quickly where the car is obviously next week in Bahrain.
“And from there, it will be maximising every inch of that car, aero, power unit, mechanically, to ensure that I’m getting everything out of the car. If the car is able to be in good points, in the high points positions, then [it’s key] I’m there.
“Whatever that target, the result of the car can achieve, I just want to be maximising that.
“And ensuring myself and Pierre are working together correctly to get the car as far up the grid as possible while also having an eye on ’26, ensuring that our car for this new generation, where there’s a lot of opportunity, is in a good window to ensure that this goal that we all have in mind.”
