Jack Doohan’s first official Formula 1 race as a full-time driver will be a special one as he gears up for his home race in Melbourne.
The Australian Grand Prix returns as the season-opener for the first time in six years after the Covid-19 pandemic, and there’s plenty of intrigue regarding six new ‘rookies’.
Although Doohan technically raced last year, he had little preparation. This time, he has had an offseason to prepare and is ready to hit the track with Alpine.
The French team signed Franco Colapinto to be their reserve driver over the winter, which caused quite a stir and created some speculation regarding Doohan’s future.
Doohan may have three races to save his Alpine seat, but his days in Formula 2 have already proven that he has enough speed to make it at the highest level.
Alpine blocked Doohan from one-to-one interviews in Bahrain at pre-season testing amid the strong rumours about his future. They want to keep him focused on the task ahead.
READ MORE: Alpine have now implemented one Jack Doohan policy for the Australian Grand Prix amid Franco Colapinto rumours
Flavio Briatore sends worrying ‘stopwatch’ message to Jack Doohan ahead of the Australian Grand Prix
After a miserable start to 2024, Alpine managed to recover and finish sixth in the constructors’ championship last season.
They’re used to having two experienced drivers within their setup in recent times. Jolyon Palmer was their last rookie back in 2016.
Doohan has reacted positively to Colapinto questions and has received extra motivation from the speculation regarding his future.
Speaking to F1-Insider, Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore sent a warning to his Australian driver ahead of the new season.
“Everyone is looking for talent,” he said. “Only then can you win the World Championship, because they make the difference. So I’m looking for fast riders who can win races.
“In the end, the stopwatch decides: tik, tok, tik, tok. My responsibility is to look for the best. But I’m not a killer.”
READ MORE: Jack Doohan will love what Alpine are privately saying about their 2025 car after F1 testing
Flavio Briatore insists Alpine’s ‘basis for success’ is same as Fernando Alonso era
It had been nearly 15 years since Briatore worked for the Enstone-based outfit when he returned as an advisor last year, surprising some of the paddock.
He has a wealth of experience which will be valuable for the team to use if they want to return to the front of the Formula 1 pack.
So far, he has been impressed with the turnaround of the team and in particular, Pierre Gasly since getting a closer look at his work.
“The basis for success is still the same as it was back then at Benetton with Michael and at Renault with Fernando,” he said. “I even still have my old office. But I first had to kiss the staff awake again.
“My first impression when I came to Enstone was that a few people were building a car, but they weren’t interested in whether the car was fast.
“Now the passion is back. And Gasly is a great driver. I didn’t know him before, but he’s done a great job so far.”
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