Alpine refutes claims that Colapinto put 'pressure' on Doohan.
Alpine has rejected claims that it is exerting additional "pressure" on rookie Jack Doohan as he approaches his Formula 1 debut.
There are speculations that the 22-year-old Australian might only secure the first part of the 2025 season, with newly appointed reserve Franco Colapinto ready to take over. Team advisor Flavio Briatore hasn't dismissed these rumors.
"If a driver doesn’t deliver results or show progress, he will be replaced," he recently stated to Le Parisien. "You can’t afford to be emotional in Formula 1."
Joan Villadelprat, an engineer and manager familiar with Briatore, mentioned that he has witnessed similar situations in the past.
"Briatore knows what he wants," he said on the Duralavita podcast. "He seeks young talent at all costs, reminiscent of his approach with (Michael) Schumacher.
"He pursued Colapinto because he is in search of the next (Fernando) Alonso or the next Schumacher."
Notably, both Colapinto, 21, and Doohan were with Briatore at the Enstone factory this week simultaneously, and the flamboyant Italian shared separate photos with each driver on Instagram.
However, Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes stated that some of the conjecture regarding Colapinto and his potential to replace Doohan in 2025 has been exaggerated.
"Some of the comments made by those behind keyboards about Jack were quite harsh," he remarked. "This is not about pressuring him; it’s more about providing the team with options," Oakes continued. "Many people depend on a driver delivering every weekend, and we need to ensure that we have the best drivers in the cockpit, not just for now, but also for the future."
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