Doohan: I’ve been told Colapinto is a reserve driver

The Argentine has gone from reserve driver for Williams to the same role at Alpine, but the multi-year contract he signed with the latter has led to speculation that he is being lined up to replace Jack Doohan, despite the Australian embarking on his own rookie campaign.

Asked by reporters ahead of the F1 75 LIVE launch event in London today, whether he feels added pressure and what he has been told by the team, Doohan said: "No. I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver. I think regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world, and I know that when I was a go-karter, Formula 3, Formula 2, I would do anything to be in Formula 1 and sacrifice everything.

"You’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cut-throat sport. Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it and just enjoying my season."

He then offered a spiky response when asked whether he felt undermined by Colapinto's arrival, saying: "I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year on a long-term contract. No, I don’t (feel undermined). Maybe I should. I don’t really understand the question."

Jack, son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, initially pursued motorcycling before switching to single-seaters after a leg injury.

He began karting in 2013, winning the Australian KA Junior Championship in 2015 and KA2 in 2016. A strong debut in single-seaters saw him finish fifth in British F4 (2018) before claiming ten wins and two runner-up finishes in Asian F3 (2019-20). He then finished second in FIA Formula 3 (2021).

Doohan stepped up to Formula 2 in 2022, winning three races with Virtuosi Racing and leaving Red Bull’s junior programme for Alpine. He secured third in the 2023 F2 championship and completed multiple F1 free practice outings.

Named Alpine’s 2024 reserve driver, Doohan was confirmed for a full-time 2025 seat. He made his F1 debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP, replacing Esteban Ocon and finishing 15th.