Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes commended Jack Doohan for standing his ground amid media speculation regarding his future at the team following Franco Colapinto’s arrival.
The 2025 F1 season hasn’t even started yet, but rookie driver Jack Doohan already finds himself under intense scrutiny. Earlier this year, Alpine signed Colapinto from Williams on a multi-year deal, naming him as the team’s official reserve driver for the season.
Colapinto already had a chance to display his skills behind the wheel of an F1 car, stepping in for the prematurely axed Logan Sargeant at Williams during the final nine rounds of the 2024 season.
While Colapinto’s unexpected debut wasn’t entirely flawless, it was promising enough to put him on Alpine’s radar and create significant buzz, particularly among Argentine fans.
Doohan was confirmed to be joining Pierre Gasly at the team back in August, before Colapinto burst onto the scene as Sargeant’s replacement.
Is Alpine gearing up for a mid-season driver switch?
However, reports have emerged suggesting Doohan may not enjoy his status as a full-time F1 driver for very long. If he fails to impress in the opening rounds, Alpine could replace him with Colapinto as early as six races into the 2025 season.
Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore has been vocal about his admiration for Colapinto. Should a driver switch come to fruition, it’s widely expected that Briatore will be the driving force behind the decision.
Oakes recently addressed the situation, commending Doohan for keeping a cool head amid intense media speculation. The Alpine boss was pleased with the Australian’s attitude and assertiveness.
“He’s alright,” Oakes told the media.
“I was quite proud of him being punchy with you all. I actually feel for him because I get that everybody wants the clickbait, and that’s a discussion topic. But I think he should be given a bit of space to just get on with it for a few rounds.”
Doohan’s future is in his own hands
Oakes stressed that Doohan’s future is in his own hands, stating that strong performances on track will quell rumours and eliminate the need for a mid-season switch.
“And then at the end of the day, like any driver, you’ve got to deliver. I think he’s done a really good job of just blocking out the noise and getting on with it. I think externally everyone sees that, but I see it a bit differently. No matter what driver you are, in any category there’s pressure.
“It doesn’t matter whether that’s in F1 or even in the junior categories. And I think, of course, because Franco did a good job last year, he’s got a big fan base, obviously a lot of them here as well, it’s natural that people want to talk about that.
“But from the other side, I think as a team, we’re quite lucky to have three reserves who are very good, and that puts us in a good position. And I think in terms of whether it’s nice or kind to Jack, I think I was pretty open that, he’s driving a Formula One car—that’s every boy’s dream, but it’s also his job.
“And for me, that’s pretty simple,” Oakes summed up.
Oakes on Doohan’s rumoured performance deadline
“It’s not my line,” Oakes said on the existence of a performance deadline. “I think we’ve been really honest as a team as to what we’re doing. I’m pretty chilled on it. I think it would be nice, I keep saying it, but just let Jack just get on with it, and also let the team get on with it to be honest. I get everybody has an opinion.
“Everyone can be a keyboard warrior as well. It’s very simple, though, isn’t it? We’re here to go racing the best driver in the car, the best engine in the car. And from my side, I was pretty open that Jack, as Flavio said it, we’re starting the season with Jack and Pierre, and then let’s see how it all goes.”
