Jack Doohan has responded to Alpine’s signing of Franco Colapinto for the first time, indicating he enjoys the “pressure.”
Alpine secured the services of Colapinto following his half-season venture at Williams last year, placing rookie driver Doohan’s position in the spotlight.
The Australian made his F1 debut in the 2024 finale in Abu Dhabi in place of the benched Esteban Ocon. Speculation has already mounted that he is only on a short-term deal and could be replaced by the Argentine driver.
Doohan has not publicly spoken as yet of the signing of Colapinto, but addressing the situation for the first time, he welcomed the pressure in the “cut-throat” environment of grand prix racing.
“No, I’ve been told he is reverse driver,” Doohan told media including RacingNews365 at the F1 75 launch event when asked if he felt extra pressure by Colapinto’s arrival.
“I think regardless, you are one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world, and I know when I was in go-karts, Formula 3, Formula 2, I would do anything to be in Formula 1, and would sacrifice everything.
“So I don’t think necessarily that if it is someone inside the team or outside the team, anyone that is performing well, you are always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you are in such a cut-throat sport.
“But whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that and embracing it and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.”
Doohan was then asked if he felt “undermined” by Colapinto’s signing, to which he responded: “I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year with a long-term contract.”
RacingNews365 then attempted to ask Doohan how he has personally reacted to the media coverage around Colapinto’s arrival, but before he could answer, the question was shut down by Alpine.
