Tensions rose during the Alpine press conference at the F1 75 season launch event on Tuesday as Aussie Formula One star Jack Doohan fielded questions over his place as one of the team’s lead drivers.
The 22-year-old Aussie was pressed on the arrival of Franco Colapinto, who was signed to the Oxfordshire-based racing team as a reserve driver in January.
But the Queensland-born racing driver insisted that he did not feel ‘undermined’ by the arrival of the Argentinian from Williams, with an Alpine press officer awkwardly proceeding to shut down questions on the matter.
‘I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver,’ Doohan said during a press conference at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday while sat alongside Pierre Gasly.
The decision to sign Colapinto has sparked some questions over the 22-year-old’s future at the team. The team’s advisor Flavio Briatore has also added to the speculation, claiming that Doohan would start the season alongside Gasly, with the team set to make a decision on their drivers later down the line.
‘I think regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world – and I know when I was in a go-kart, Formula 3, Formula 2, I would do anything to be in Formula 1 and sacrifice everything,’ Doohan added.
Aussie F1 star Jack Doohan fielded questions over the security of his seat on Tuesday
Doohan (left) and Pierre Gasly (right) appeared for a press event at the F1 75 Live event for the launch of the 2025 season
Speculation has revolved around Doohan’s position at Alpine following the arrival of reserve driver Franco Colapinto (pictured)
‘So I don’t think necessarily that someone inside the team, outside the team, you know, anyone that’s performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders, because you’re in such a cut-throat sport.
‘But whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it, and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.’
The Australian, who has featured in just one race under his belt, finishing 15th in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season.
Doohan was again pressed on the matter, with one reporter asked whether he felt the arrival of Colapinto had undermined his place in the team.
The Queenslander issued a blunt response: ‘Is that a question?’
‘I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year with a long-term contract, but no I don’t [feel undermined]. Maybe I should, I don’t know. I don’t really understand how that’s a question, but definitely not.’
The noise grew inside the auditorium as Doohan attempted to answer the first two questions, with Alpine bosses being forced to step in to prevent a third question on the subject from being asked.
Doohan issued a frosty response to the line of questioning, insisting to reporters that he was not feeling undermined by Colapinto’s arrival
Doohan has jsut one F1 race under his belt after he debuted at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The team’s press officer subsequently announced that the 22-year-old Queenslander would not be fielding any more questions on the subject.
‘No more questions about Colapinto.
‘I think that’s enough, we have three about Franco’
Colapinto featured in nine races in 2024 for Williams, earning his side five points, with his highest finish (8th) coming in Azerbaijan in September.
Doohan, though, is excited for the commencement of the 2025 Formula One season and will kick start his season on home soil at the Melbourne Grand Prix in March.
Speaking on the launch event he added: ‘I think it’s super cool. I haven’t been a part of a launch yet, let’s say, as a driver. So it’s the first time for me on any launch, probably in the driving seat, but I think it’s amazing.’