Franco Colapinto used two words in first Alpine interview that will worry Jack Doohan

Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan are battling long-term for the Alpine seat next to Pierre Gasly. It’s a situation unlike any other on the 2025 F1 grid.

When Alpine announced last summer that Doohan would replace Esteban Ocon, it seemed as if the line-up was set for the entire 2025 season. This is, after all, standard practice in F1.

But it then emerged that Doohan had only signed a short-term contract, covering only six races. His early debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he drove Ocon’s car, may count as one of those.

And when Alpine made a move for Colapinto earlier this month, the doubts over Doohan’s future intensified significantly. The Argentine arrives from Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant for the last nine races of the 2024 season.

Doohan finished third in the Formula 2 standings in 2023, which highlights his potential. Colapinto, on the other hand, scored an excellent P8 at the Azerbaijan GP – just his second F1 race – but crashed heavily on multiple occasions.

Colapinto also brings significant backing from sponsors in his homeland. Given that Flavio Briatore has already tried to improve Alpine’s margins by axing their engine programme, this may be central to the youngster’s appeal too.

Franco Colapinto says he’s ‘always ready’ to jump into Alpine F1 car

Colapinto reported to Enstone for the first time this week. But it wasn’t just a day of introductions – he immediately began conducting simulator work.

Alpine will be able to compare his virtual performances with Doohan. But his lap times in TPC outings could carry greater weight.

Doohan racked up extensive mileage in old Alpine machinery last year, leaving a bank of data. This could form the basis for the team’s driver decision.

In his first interview with the team, Motorsport Italy noted that Colapinto did not ‘hide’ the possibility of ascending from his reserve role. Two words in particular will concern Doohan – ‘always ready’.

Aware of the speculation around the team, this seemed like a hint that he was expecting to step up during the season. He made it very clear that he was ‘ready for anything’, and doesn’t seem to view himself as a mere support driver.

“My role within the team will be to help, to help with everything I can, to bring the team back to the top, to improve the car as much as possible,” he said.

“I will be very attentive to whatever happens and obviously always ready if I have to get in the car at some point. Doing all the testing, developing the new car, spending a lot of time in the simulator and obviously being ready for anything.”

Jack Doohan proves Kevin Magnussen was right about ‘toxic’ environment

Colapinto may be the next Michael Schumacher – a bold claim on the surface, but one that makes sense in the context of Flavio Briatore’s track record. He dropped Roberto Moreno midway through the 1991 season to make room for the German at Benetton.

• READ MORE: F1 fans warn Jack Doohan to watch his back after Alpine post one Flavio Briatore photo

And the notoriously ruthless Italian won’t hesitate to treat Doohan in a similar fashion if he doesn’t deliver in the early rounds. Some would argue he’s being set up to fail.

Kevin Magnussen called Renault ‘toxic’, and one could apply the same label to their Enstone successors. Doohan has been placed under extraordinary pressure at the outset, pressure that may be too great for him to succeed.