Amid growing speculation about his Formula 1 future, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes has publicly praised Jack Doohan’s handling of media pressure surrounding his position in the team.
Doohan under scrutiny
In Formula 1, young drivers often find themselves under intense scrutiny, and Jack Doohan is no exception. The recent hiring of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver for Alpine has cast a shadow of uncertainty over Doohan’s long-term future with the team.
Team boss Oliver Oakes has publicly commended Doohan for his exceptional handling of media pressure following Colapinto’s recruitment. With rumours circulating that Doohan could be replaced if he doesn’t meet performance expectations in the early season rounds, the young Australian has maintained remarkable professional composure.
Oakes highlighted Doohan’s resilience, stating, “I think he’s done a really good job of just blocking out the noise and getting on with it. I think externally everyone sees that, but I see it a bit differently.” The team principal acknowledged the challenging position Doohan finds himself in, adding, “No matter what driver you are, in any category there’s pressure.”
Understanding team dynamics
The speculation surrounding Doohan’s position has been fuelled by Colapinto’s performance last year and his growing fan base. Oakes was candid about the situation. “Because Franco did a good job last year, he’s got a big fan base, obviously a lot of them here as well, it’s natural that people want to talk about that,” explained Oaks.
Emphasising the team’s current strategy, Oakes noted, “We’re quite lucky to have three reserves who are very good, and that puts us in a good position.” He was also clear about Doohan’s current status, “We’re starting the season with Jack and Pierre, and then let’s see how it all goes.”
The team boss praised Doohan’s approach to handling media scrutiny. “I was quite proud of him being punchy with you all. I actually feel for him, because I get that everybody wants the clickbait, and that’s a discussion topic. But I think he should be given a bit of space to just get on with it for a few rounds.”
Oakes also provided perspective on the broader context, “He’s driving a Formula One car – that’s every boy’s dream, but it’s also his job. And for me, that’s pretty simple.”
With the support of his team, Jack Doohan remains focused on proving his worth on the track, effectively turning potential pressure into motivation.
Feature Image Credit: BWT Alpine F1 Team
