Doohan seemed to be hurt following the Japanese GP.

      "It’s a very challenging situation and I find it unpleasant."

      Jack Doohan's predicament is deteriorating, as footage surfaces showing him struggling to exit his Alpine cockpit after the Japanese GP. Amid growing speculation about his potential replacement by Franco Colapinto, the Australian rookie suffered a heavy crash during practice in Suzuka, with rumors suggesting he may have injured his left arm or hand. After the race, an Alpine mechanic and Haas’ Esteban Ocon had to assist Doohan in getting out of the car since he couldn’t use his left arm.

      Compounding the issue, while Doohan faced difficulties in Japan, Colapinto - who appears to have the backing of Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore - was testing a 2023 car at Monza. Reports indicate that Colapinto was half a second quicker than fellow reserve driver Paul Aron during a single lap and seven tenths faster in overall race pace. Former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers expressed sympathy for Doohan.

      "It’s a very challenging situation and I find it unpleasant," the Dutchman remarked to De Telegraaf. "He’s just starting out in Formula 1, and all you want is to concentrate. However, enjoying it seems impossible.

      "People often assume that driving in F1 is enjoyable, but that’s not true; you’re under pressure from the very beginning. For Doohan, this pressure is particularly intense. All the talk about him being replaced after just a few races is also linked to Colapinto’s sponsors, which will be a crucial factor."

      Doohan left Suzuka late on Sunday feeling bruised but optimistic about racing in Bahrain. "I’ll take a few days to rest and recover," said the son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan. "I’m eager to race again in Bahrain, where the conditions will be entirely different."