Jack Doohan has denied he could lose his F1 seat in the first half of 2025 as rumours persist Franco Colapinto is destined to take replace him.
Instead of focusing on acclimatising ahead of his first home F1 race at the season opener with Alpine, Doohan is continuing to bat away questions over his future.
As the Australian prepares for his first full F1 season, a looming spectre of another driver continues to lurk in the background.
The arrival of Franco Colapinto as test reserve driver has led many to believe that Doohan’s F1 tenure may be cut short in favour of the Argentine. Former F1 driver Roberto Merhi believes Doohan may have as little as five races to save his barely fledgling F1 career.
Alpine’s announcement on Tuesday that Mercado Libre, a Latin American e-commerce platform, has joined as a sponsor will only increase speculation further.
However, speaking at the F1 75 event in London, Doohan stated he had a contract, and expected to race the full season.
Jack Doohan denies F1 seat under threat
When media at the event asked if he felt any extra pressure ahead of the season opener, Doohan was resolute and dismissed any suggestion of being replaced.
“No, I’ve been told he’s the reserve driver. I think, regardless, you’re one of 20 drivers in the world [racing in F1], and I know that when I was a go karter or racing in F3, Formula 2, I would have done anything to get into Formula 1 and would have sacrificed everything
“I don’t think necessarily that someone inside the team outside the team or anyone that is performing well – you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cutthroat sport.
“But whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying it and embracing it.”
Doohan categorically denied feeling undermined at the presence of Colapinto, comparing the Argentine’s deal with hios own former agreement.
“I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year on a long-term contract. Maybe I should, but I don’t really understand that as a question.”
Doohan joins Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Borteleto, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli as drivers all preparing for their first full season in F1.
Feature Image Credit: Alpine Cars Media
