Oakes on Doohan vs. Colapinto: 'I actually feel for him'

Jack Doohan makes up the second driver in the Alpine lineup. However, there are three reserves waiting in the wings to take his spot. Oliver Oakes does not think this should worry the rookie, but should instead keep him working hard towards his dream.

After being promoted from reserve to main driver by Alpine, Doohan was able to hop into his new Formula 1 role earlier than expected for the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Esteban Ocon parted ways with the Enstone-based team.

Doohan has been a hot topic over the past few weeks after Franco Colapinto was announced to be one of Alpine’s reserve drivers. Oliver Oakes, Alpine’s Team Principal responded to the situation. “I actually feel for him, because I get everybody wants the clickbait and that's a discussion topic, but I think also he should be given a bit of space to just get on with it for a few rounds," he told GPblog among others.

“End of the day, like every driver, you've gotta deliver," Oakes continued. "But I think he's doing a really good job of blocking out the noise and just getting on with it. No matter what driver you are in any category, there's pressure. It doesn't matter whether that's in F1 or even in the junior categories,” discarding Colapinto as the main threat to Doohan's future with the team.

What's his take on the Argentinian ace? “I think because Franco did a good job last year, he's got a big fan base, obviously, a lot of them here as well, it's natural that people want to talk about that.” In the end, Doohan simply has to keep it simple. “I think in terms of whether it's nice or kind to Jack, I think I was pretty open that he's driving a Formula 1 car, that's every boy's dream, but it's also his job. For me, that's pretty simple.”

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