Doohan has €10-million backing to stay on the F1 grid with Alpine

Sunday, 27 April 2025 at 14:09

Jack Doohan's struggles on and off the track, during his rookie Formula 1 season with Alpine, are putting his future at risk, as pressure mounts on to match experienced teammate Pierre Gasly while Franco Colapinto waits in the wings. What keeps the Australian in that hot seat?

Former F1 driver turned pundit, Herbert said: "It hasn't gone well for Jack Doohan, unfortunately. He's going to be compared to his teammate Pierre Gasly, and he's been performing very well. Doohan hasn't had the window he needed to perform and show his ability properly, to get consistent speed out of the car. At the present time, the pressure on himself seems too much and the mistakes are damaging his career."

Herbert continued by pointing to Flavio Briatore’s influence in Alpine’s driver planning: "Also, there's Franco Colapinto on the side. He had a couple of incidents towards the end of last season, crashing where he could have avoided it.

"But then again, Flavio Briatore was very eager to get Colapinto and definitely has a belief he can do the job when he gets into the Alpine car. Briatore is a character who holds no attachment and will get the best possible drivers in the car when possible," reckoned Herbert.

In a latest development, Ralf Schumacher told the Backstage Pit Lane podcast that a sponsorship deal worth €10-million could be key to Doohan batting off doubts over his future on the Formula 1 grid with Alpine.

Schumacher: I hear Doohan has a €10-million sponsor

Jack Doohan: «Test mit Mick Schumacher war seltsam» / Formel 1 - SPEEDWEEK.com

Former F1 driver turned pundit, Schumacher, said: “I don’t want to say it quite as harshly as Dr Marko, who said that he’s a Class C driver. He is not a Class C driver, certainly, he’s a good driver. But, in my opinion, not good enough for Formula 1. It is still a bit early of course, and he has a very experienced team-mate in Gasly, who is also settled into the team and is receiving support.

“That’s why it’s maybe a bit harsh and unfair, but I would say that in relation to the other rookies, you can see that he’s someone who might not necessarily be competing for the World Championship at some point.

“And if the money doesn’t come in from Colapinto, then I don’t think he will be exchanged for the time being. I hear Doohan also has a sponsor worth €10-million in the bag and that has to be paid out somehow.

“I can imagine that he will survive somehow, but Flavio is always good for a surprise," added Schumacher, brother of legend Michael, regarding Briatore, who pulls the strings on this one.

Montoya: Aron maybe a better long-term option than Colapinto

Juan Pablo Montoya, another F1 driver offering insights on the current scenario in the top flight, offered a more measured assessment of Doohan’s prospects, suggesting the Australian still has time to prove himself.

Montoya said: "I think Jack Doohan is doing a good job. I think Japan, yes, he made a mistake. I think the way he's driving the car right now, I don't think it's 100% safe, but he's done a good enough job that it's hard to make a decision."

Montoya continued: "I don't think their decision is as straightforward as people think. Personally speaking, I don't think Colapinto's the guy. Because I think Paul Aron could be the guy. I think Paul could do a good enough job, or even a better job. And I think they know that."

Montoya added that Doohan’s immediate future depends on avoiding major errors:
"My opinion is that unless he does something stupid, I think he'll stay all year. But I don't think he'll be there next year unless he can start beating Gasly."

Herbert: Bortoleto impressing and learning valuable lessons at Sauber

Herbert contrasted Doohan’s difficulties with the performances of fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who has been holding his own against veteran teammate Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber.

Herbert said: "Sauber have had to accept their car won't be the best this season, it hasn't been strong for the last couple of seasons and their aim will be to improve in 2026."

He continued: "Gabriel Bortoleto has done a good job. He was really impressive with his speed in F2. Once the car improves, we'll see the best of Bortoleto. Also, it's not like he's underperforming compared to Nico Hulkenberg, he's held his own against a very experienced driver."

Herbert concluded that Sauber’s struggles could ultimately benefit Bortoleto’s development: "It's been a difficult season for Sauber, but they will try to learn a lot on how to improve the car for next season. For

"Bortoleto, he's learning how to work as hard as possible to get the best out of a poor car, which can only benefit his skills for the future," ventured Herbert.

(Source: CoinCasino)