Doohan speaks out about his situation with Alpine : “The worst was in January”

Even before the Melbourne Grand Prix kicked off the 2025 season, rumors were rife about Jack Doohan's supposed ouster. Alpine from the end of the 2024 season to replaceEsteban Ocon At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Australian began his first year in Formula 1, aware that a sword of Damocles was already hanging over his head.

Supported by many sponsors, Franco Colapinto having left Williams for the French firm during the winter, bides its time. Given the numerous errors of the new teammate of Pierre Gasly At the beginning of the exercise, it already seemed clear that his replacement would only be a matter of time. However, official communications fromAlpine are not legion on this subject. In the same vein, little information is coming in about the Argentinian, whose future seems to be mainly linked to the financial power of his supporters at the moment.

Doohan wants to be philosophical about his future with Alpine

In recent weeks, the fire from Argentina appears to have calmed down somewhat. Jack Doohan's results have also settled down, and he now appears confident ahead of his trip to Miami. "Even in difficult times, I never felt affected. I was surrounded by good people and the team also supported me a lot, so I never had that feeling in my head, he detailed. Of course, there will always be noise, but I was more focused on being as fast as possible in the car than anything external."

However, the situation has not always been so calm around the Australian. The pilot Alpine did not hesitate to recall the difficult climate surrounding the officialization of his arrival at the beginning of the year. "I think because it's been going on for so long, I was probably immune at the start of the season. If it had started a few days before Melbourne, it would have affected me more, he agreed. Honestly, the worst part was in January when there was more noise. Nothing else was happening, but I think there was a new story every weekend, and I quickly learned what was irrelevant and what wasn't.

Without confirming that his position was secured, nor without ever mentioning his counterpart, Jack Doohan assured that he did not take personally the different choices made by Alpine since the start of the season. In addition to Franco Colapinto, three other reserve drivers have been appointed by the team, including Paul Aron, Kush Maini, and Ryo Hirakawa, now signed with Haas.

Flavio Briatore and his methods endorsed by Doohan

Faced with this tacit pressure imposed by his management, Jack Doohan continues to approve the way Flavio Briatore, executive advisor toAlpine. « Flavio is someone I've admired for a very long time. I love his brutal and direct approach, he clearly admits. There's no bullshit. There's no joking. You understand very quickly what's going on. I much prefer that to rumors or other nonsense. Things were clear from the start. He just wants me to succeed and for the best to happen, to forget the noise, to forget what's going on, to simply do my best. Things are always there for a reason. Nothing comes out by mistake.

Still focused on his own trajectory, the number 7 on the grid claims to be taking advantage of this situation "more benefits than anything else" and aims to score his first points in Miami after finishing 17th in the last Saudi event two weeks ago.

ALSO READ > Norris admits his struggles at the wheel of a McLaren that doesn't suit him