Jack Doohan's future as a Formula One driver with Alpine looks in the balance even before the Australian's rookie 2024 season has even started following the French team's signing of much-touted Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver.
The Renault-owned outfit have announced the talented 21-year-old Argentine Colapinto, considered a star of the future even while enduring several crashes with Williams last year, has joined them on a multi-year deal.
It could spell ominous news for another 21-year-old Doohan, following much speculation about his future and with the likelihood now that should he fail to hit his performance targets early in the season, he will be replaced by Colapinto.
It means he'll be under severe pressure to deliver from the opening race of the season, his home Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.
Doohan, like Colapinto, was also a team reserve before replacing Esteban Ocon and making his debut in last month's 2024 season finale at Abu Dhabi, ending up 15th of the 16 finishers.
It's no secret just how much Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor, admires the raw ability and 'wow factor' of Colapinto, even if he's already picked up the reputation of being erratic after crashes in Las Vegas and Brazil.
Announcing his signing on Thursday, Briatore said: "Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now.
"It is fair to say his appearance on the Formula One grid last year caught many, me included, by surprise and his performances have been very impressive for a rookie driver.
"We have an eye on our future and his signing means we have a great pool of young drivers to call upon and work with in developing the team for future success."
The team also have Japanese Ryo Hirakawa, who was announced on Thursday, and young Estonian F2 driver Paul Aron among their reserves.
Briatore could not helping make it sound as if Gold Coast's Doohan, son of motorcycling great Mick Doohan and one of two Aussie drivers on the grid this year alongside McLaren's Oscar Piastri, has now been plunged into a contest to prove his worth.
Doohan was announced in the seat in August after former boss Briatore's return to the team was confirmed but before Colapinto's debut at Monza in September on September 1.
But only last month, the 74-year-old power broker Briatore seemed to already indicate there were no guarantees for Doohan as he told Le Parisien newspaper: "We’ll start the year with Pierre (Gasly) and Jack, I can guarantee that.
"After that, we’ll see as the season progresses."
Colapinto is an attraction for Alpine, not just because of his evident ability but because he has huge sponsor interest and fan support in Latin America.
"To my incredible fans in Argentina: ‘Muchas gracias!’ Your passion and encouragement mean the world to me. Let’s aim for even greater things in 2025 and beyond," Colapinto said.
"We believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco's best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026," Williams principal James Vowles said of their outgoing driver.
"We are proud to have returned Argentina to the F1 grid, want to thank Franco for everything he has brought to the team and look forward to future battles on track."
