Oscar Piastri has voiced his support for compatriot Jack Doohan following confirmation that the Alpine driver will lose his seat starting from the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Speculation over Doohan’s position had been building throughout the Miami Grand Prix weekend, which ended in disappointment for the Australian after a first-lap collision forced him out of the race. Alpine later confirmed that Doohan would step aside, with Franco Colapinto stepping in as part of a planned rotation of the race seat.
Colapinto, who served as a driver for Williams during the latter stages of last season, will now drive for Alpine over the next five rounds. The team was keen to stress that Doohan remains “an integral part of the team” and their “first-choice” reserve driver.
Piastri encourages Doohan
Speaking just prior to Alpine’s announcement, Piastri expressed both sympathy and encouragement for Doohan, who at 22, faces uncertainty about his future in Formula 1.
“I think if it is the end of the road for Jack, he can be very proud of firstly making it to F1,” Piastri told Wide World of Sports, according to F1.com.
“It’s not an easy thing, especially coming from Australia – there’s a lot of hard decisions along the way.
“If he has had his final race, I think hold your head up high, you’ve been an F1 driver, and no one can take that away from you.”
With Alpine also confirming the resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes in a dramatic week for the Enstone outfit, questions linger over the long-term direction of the team. For now, Colapinto will take the helm from Imola, as Alpine explores its options in a bid to find form this season.
Piastri, who himself passed through Alpine’s junior ranks before a high-profile switch to McLaren, believes Doohan will bounce back.
“I’m sure he’ll have a successful career in whatever happens,” he added.
Doohan’s departure reduces Australia’s presence on the F1 grid, but Piastri continues to represent the nation with distinction – currently leading the Drivers’ Championship in a resurgent season with McLaren.
