In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, whispers in the paddock can often speak louder than the roar of the engines. For Alpine’s rookie sensation Jack Doohan, the rumor mill has been churning with speculation that he could be replaced by up-and-coming Argentine driver Franco Colapinto, perhaps as soon as the Miami Grand Prix in May.
But if the 21-year-old Aussie is feeling the heat, he certainly isn’t showing it. Speaking at F1’s glitzy 2025 season launch event in London, Doohan shrugged off the Colapinto chatter with the cool confidence of a driver who knows his worth.
“I’ve been told he’s reserve driver,”
Doohan said of Colapinto’s role at Alpine.
Pressure Comes with the Territory
For Doohan, the scrutiny and uncertainty that comes with being one of just 20 Formula 1 drivers on the planet is simply part of the job description. It’s a reality he says he’s more than ready to embrace.
“I think regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world,”
Doohan pointed out.
“I know when I was a go-karter, Formula 3, Formula 2, I would have done anything to be in Formula 1, and sacrifice everything. I don’t think necessarily someone inside the team, outside the team, anyone who is performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders, because you’re in such a cutthroat sport.”
It’s a level of pressure that would make mere mortals crumble. But for Doohan, it’s a challenge he relishes.
“Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it, and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.”
The Colapinto Connection
Colapinto’s rapid rise from Williams reserve to bona fide F1 star last season has only added fuel to the speculation. The Argentine wunderkind made an instant impact after stepping in for Logan Sargeant at the Italian Grand Prix, turning heads and setting tongues wagging about his future prospects.
Now, with Colapinto joining Alpine as reserve driver on what amounts to a loan deal from Williams, the rumor mill has kicked into overdrive. Reports out of Argentina have even hinted at a driver swap as early as the glamorous Miami race in May.
Adding intrigue to the situation, just minutes after Doohan’s defiant press conference, Alpine announced a new sponsorship deal with Argentine e-commerce giant Mercado Libre—a company that also jumped onboard at Williams in the wake of Colapinto’s stunning debut last year.
Doohan Stays Focused
But if Doohan is feeling undermined by Colapinto’s growing presence and influence at Alpine, he’s doing a masterful job of concealing it. When pressed on whether the Argentine’s role at the team bothered him, Doohan was unequivocal.
“No. Maybe I should, I don’t know. I don’t really understand that as a question. But yeah, definitely not.”
It’s a response that speaks volumes about Doohan’s unshakable self-belief and laser focus. Where others might see Colapinto as a looming threat, the young Aussie seems to view him as just another challenge to be met and overcome.
The Road Ahead
Of course, in the unpredictable world of Formula 1, nothing is ever certain. With Colapinto waiting in the wings and the backing of some serious South American sponsorship muscle, the pressure on Doohan to perform will be immense.
But if the Aussie’s steely resolve and supreme confidence are anything to go by, he’ll be more than ready to meet that challenge head-on. For Jack Doohan, the whispers in the paddock are just background noise. His focus remains firmly on the road ahead, and on proving that he belongs among the elite 20 drivers in the pinnacle of motorsport.
As the 2025 F1 season roars to life, all eyes will be on the Alpine garage, watching and waiting to see if Doohan can withstand the Colapinto storm and cement his place in the sport’s glittering future. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
