Jack Doohan’s first months as a full-time Alpine driver have been overshadowed by fixed hypothesis about his future, with reserve Franco Colapinto repeatedly linked as a possible substitute.
Wwidespread rumours suggesting that the Australian could possibly be out of a seat as early as 5 races into the season result in inevitable questions in regards to the stress he is dealing with.
In the course of the F1 75 press convention in London, Doohan shrugged off ideas that Colapinto’s presence within the staff added any further stress – responding in a very daring method.
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That method has impressed Alpine staff principal Oliver Oakes.
“He is alright. I feel I used to be fairly pleased with him being punchy with you all,” Oakes instructed media in Bahrain when Motorsport.com requested him about Doohan’s dealing with of the hypothesis. “I really really feel for him as a result of I get that everyone needs the clickbait and that’s a dialogue matter. However I feel he must be given a little bit of area to only get on with it for a couple of rounds.”
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
On the identical time, Oakes insisted that Doohan’s destiny remained within the Australian’s arms, stating that if the 21-year-old delivers on observe, there can be no purpose for a mid-season change.
“It doesn’t matter what driver you might be, in any class, there’s stress,” Oakes mentioned. “It does not matter whether or not that is in F1 and even within the junior classes. I feel as a result of Franco did a great job final yr, he is obtained a giant fan base, so it is pure that individuals need to speak about that. However from the opposite aspect, I feel, as a staff, we’re fairly fortunate to have three reserves who’re superb, and that places us in a robust place.
“And by way of whether or not it is good or variety to Jack, I used to be fairly open that he is driving a Method 1 automotive – that’s each boy’s dream, nevertheless it’s additionally his job. And for me, that is fairly easy.”
Oakes additionally praised Doohan’s potential to “block out the noise”, reiterating that his focus ought to stay solely on delivering outcomes.
“On the finish of the day, like each driver, you’ve obtained to ship, however I feel he is doing a very good job at blocking out the noise and simply getting on with it,” he added.
Whereas rumours proceed to swirl, Oakes declined to outright deny the existence of a contract clause that might see Doohan changed after 5 races.
“It’s not my line,” he responded when pressed on whether or not Alpine had given Doohan a strict deadline to show himself. “I feel we’ve been actually trustworthy as a staff about what we’re doing. I maintain saying it, however it could be good to only let Jack get on with it – and in addition let the staff get on with it, to be trustworthy.”
Pictures from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 3
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On this article
Oleg Karpov
Method 1
Jack Doohan
Franco Colapinto
Alpine
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