Jack Doohan insists he feels no pressure despite the fact that an eager Franco Colapinto is waiting in the wings.

With just one race under his belt, and that down to the fact that Alpine clearly had no sentiment in terms of his predecessor, Doohan should have been busying himself preparing for his debut season.

However, in a move that few really understand, the French team opted to sign hot-shot Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver, thereby applying additional pressure to Doohan before a wheel has turned in anger.

While the news that his contract with Williams means that the Argentine might yet return to Grove appears to take some of the immediate pressure off Doohan, doubts over the Australian's future remain.

However, speaking ahead of today's livery reveal, Doohan insists that he is not losing sleep.

"I've been told he's a reserve driver," he told reporters at London's O2.

"I think regardless, you're one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world," he continued. "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 if 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," he admitted. "Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it, and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.

"I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year with a long-term contract, but no, I don't," he replied, when asked if he felt threatened. "Maybe I should? I don't really understand that question, but definitely not."

For now, Doohan is focussing not on the threat from Colapinto, but how he will stand up against his teammate, Pierre Gasly.

"I've been, obviously, not a team-mate directly in the car for the last two years, but from, let's say, a third person point of view, looking in and seeing Pierre as a driver and obviously him being so richly experienced now, a race winner, podium finisher, an exceptional driver in Formula 1," he said.

"So to be partnered up against him is great and I'm sure it'll be amazing for me to learn off him and increase my capabilities."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ffracer, 19/02/2025 20:07

"@ Celtic Tiger and @ Kenji - poignant and so deeply correct

Jack, you deserve this drive so fight fire with fire. Colapinto and his group are playing to his strengths. In a few races, he was quick while garnering the world feed by building on a patriotic feverish fan club enticing an impressive sponsor pool attracting a great white like Flavio. Drive it like you stole it, be in the shop, offices and debrief rooms 25/8 building relationships with all Alpine, corporate partners, Australia and Doohan faithful, fanning the fire ... and keeping it off the wall. Good luck, you and your Dad have an incredible story. One we all need right now. "

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2. Posted by kenji, 19/02/2025 1:44

"This is not a pretty story and Jack Doohan is doing a great job in trying to contain the issues. It's quite obvious that, if some reports are accurate, a team wouldn't pay what has been suggested just to keep a driver on the reserve list! Doohan has my fervent support and I just hope that he is able to silence his critics with some great races. "

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3. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 18/02/2025 18:51

"Disgusting treatment by Alpine. This kid needs to treat every race as if its his championship title on the line. Being in Alpine right now is like he's the ******* child of a noble family that the other siblings don't want to see succeed, the main faction have chosen. This whole business with Colapinto smells and I wouldn't put it past Flavio to sabotage Doohan's car or his side of the garage to satisfy contract conditions and avoid messy lawsuits when (I have a feeling its a "when" and not an "if") they bin him for Colapinto.

Best of luck to him and that he does well enough that another team wants him so he can get the hell outta Alpine."

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Doohan defiant

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