Flavio Briatore, executive advisor of Alpine F1 Team, has sent a stark message to Australian driver Jack Doohan as he approaches his debut season. Known for his ruthless reputation in Formula 1, Briatore hinted that Doohan may need to deliver immediate results to retain his seat. A tense exchange documented in Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” revealed Briatore’s commanding presence, as he ominously stated, “I control you every millimetre.”
At just 22 years old, Doohan has been thrust into the spotlight after being appointed as the team’s new driver, replacing Esteban Ocon. The son of esteemed motorcycle racer Mick Doohan, Jack made a brief F1 appearance at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and will now team up with Pierre Gasly full-time during the forthcoming season.
The pressure intensifies with rumours surrounding Alpine’s interest in Franco Colapinto, another rookie driver, who has recently been signed as a reserve driver for 2025. Reports suggest Alpine is loaning Colapinto from Williams Racing, potentially valuing the deal at around $34 million. Briatore indicated that Doohan will be given a limited timeframe to showcase his skills, after which the team may reconsider their options depending on performance.
Despite limited F1 experience, Colapinto made a significant impact during his brief stint, scoring points and demonstrating competitiveness against his teammate Alex Albon. However, inconsistency marked his season, leading to three retirements in his last four races. Both Colapinto and Doohan appear evenly matched in terms of performance, creating a competitive backdrop for the upcoming season.
Doohan, who has been part of Alpine’s junior academy since 2022 and served as their reserve driver after Oscar Piastri’s departure, has accrued valuable experience through extensive testing. He understands that the cutthroat nature of F1 comes with pressure to perform. Responding to concerns about Colapinto’s signed deal, Doohan remarked, “If it’s someone inside the team or outside the team, anyone that’s performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders.”
As the new season approaches, Doohan seems ready to embrace the challenge in hopes of securing his place within the team amid competition for the seat. The upcoming races will be critical as he strives to leave his mark in F1, under the watchful eye of Briatore and the expectations of the Alpine team.