Formula 1
Alpine: Doohan will get fair chance despite Colapinto signing
Alpine team boss Oakes denies signing Franco Colapinto as a reserve is putting pressure on 2025 rookie Jack Doohan
Filip Cleeren
Published: Jan 22, 2025, 5:00 PM
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Jack Doohan, Alpine A524
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has insisted 2025 rookie Jack Doohan will get a "fair chance" to impress despite the team signing the more experienced Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver.
Over the summer Doohan was announced as Esteban Ocon's replacement for the 2025 season, with the Australian handed an early debut in the Abu Dhabi season finale as part of his preparation for a full campaign this year.
In the meantime Alpine, which had already announced junior driver Paul Aron as its reserve, also added Colapinto to its roster after securing a deal with Williams for its highly rated protege.
Colapinto was handed a shock mid-season debut with Williams last year to replace the underperforming Logan Sargeant, and immediately impressed by scoring five points over his first four grand prix weekends.
The Argentinian's turn of speed and rapid adaptation even attracted interest from Red Bull for 2025, but as Williams' form deteriorated and the 21-year-old suffered a spate of costly crashes, the team was put off his scent.
Nevertheless, Colapinto's signing has appeared to heap the pressure on Doohan before the Australian's F1 career has even kicked off in earnest.
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But speaking on the James Allen on F1 podcast, Alpine chief Oakes insists Doohan will be given a fair opportunity to cement his place, with Colapinto brough in to provide the team with strength in depth for the future.
"it's been a little bit harsh on Jack, some of the stuff that was written by the keyboard warriors there, and he's getting his fair crack at it next year," Oakes said.
Oliver Oakes, Team Principal, Alpine F1 Team, in the Press Conference
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
"And I think the intention there isn't to put [pressure] on his shoulders. It's genuinely to give the team options further down the line. And for me F1 is fine margins. There's a load of people who are depending on a driver to deliver each weekend, and we need to make sure we've got the best drivers in the race car, not just now, but also in the future."
Expanding on what Colapinto offers Alpine, Oakes said: "I think Franco made a great first impression with Williams. I think it was clear to see that he probably tried a bit too hard at the end there.
"How much of that was the situation he was in, where he didn't have a seat confirmed and was trying to over-impress, and how much of that was a compromise on parts on the car, that's hard to calculate. But I think the crux is he made a strong impression with the speed he showed.
"For us as a team it's great to have that roster of two young drivers in Paul and Franco there waiting in the wings, because it's not just about 2025; 2026, 2027 is around the corner, and it's hard in F1 to plan what's going to happen and what drivers you're going to have to go in the car.
"For us, it just keeps everyone honest in terms of how they're performing and gives us options."
Listen to the latest episode of the James Allen on F1 podcast below or on your preferred podcast app.
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