Alpine driver Jack Doohan is preparing for the start of his Formula 1 career alongside a handful of other rookies.
Although the definition of ‘rookie’ appears to differ between the drivers, teams and the FIA, Jack Doohan almost certainly falls into that category.
Alpine’s newest driver has already made his debut after being dropped into Esteban Ocon’s seat for last season’s finale in Abu Dhabi.
Jolyon Palmer described Doohan’s debut as difficult but it would be unfair to judge him too harshly given the circumstances surrounding his promotion and an unfortunate mistake in qualifying that saw him go out in Q1.
However, Doohan’s preparations over the winter were far from ideal either, with Alpine and executive advisor Flavio Briatore being very active in the driver’s market.
Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa and most importantly Franco Colapinto were all brought in to bolster the Anglo-French team’s ranks.
Doohan is said to be on a short-term contract at Alpine and journalist and paddock insider Michael Schmidt – speaking on the Auto Motor und Sport YouTube channel – has shared more details about what he’s heard regarding the Australian’s future.
Jack Doohan has three races at Alpine to save his Formula 1 seat
Schmidt was asked about Doohan’s situation at Alpine and explained: “Yes, actually you should give him more time, but we all know that Flavio Briatore’s fuse is short.
“He has two very good reserve drivers in Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron and Colapinto might also bring him a bit of sponsorship money.
“Although Alpine is now very well positioned, they got two big sponsors over the winter, by the way, Flavio brought in 70 million dollars, he said, so you can see that he is now not just there to sweep through the factory or through the team with an iron broom, but he also brings something for the team.
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“You have to give him credit, a lot of people smile about him because he always sneaks around the paddock a bit but you have to take him seriously he knows what he’s doing.
“What I hear is that Doohan gets exactly three races and he has to be within three-tenths of Gasly.
“You heard that he was half a second behind in a comparative test, I thought he did quite well in Bahrain, both in terms of the fastest lap and the long run he did.”
Schmidt was then asked to give his prediction on Doohan’s future and admitted: “He will be replaced when he is half a second behind Gasly. I would say after the Japanese Grand Prix he will be gone.”
Flavio Briatore may have offered Jack Doohan a lifeline with winter Alpine activity
Doohan knows he has to improve team principal Oliver Oakes as well as Briatore over the first three Grand Prix to avoid being replaced.
Pierre Gasly is an especially strong teammate for Doohan to be compared to after finishing last season so strongly.
Gasly was one of the standout drivers in testing and only Fernando Alonso denied him being the best of the rest in the drivers’ championship last season.
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However, one of the reasons why it’s been suggested that Alpine may replace Doohan with Colapinto is due to the sponsorship he brings with him.
As Schmidt mentioned above, Briatore is an expert at doing this himself without the need for the young Argentine.
Colapinto has also struggled to secure several sponsorships which might give Doohan just a little bit more time to get up to speed this season.
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