Doohan brushes off replacement talks: “There’s no point thinking about rumours”

Feeling the heat on the opening day of the Australian Grand Prix, Alpine’s Jack Doohan continued to deny rumours of a mid-season switch, saying he’s looking forward to “many home Grands Prix” in the future.

Growing impatient ahead of Sunday’s 58-lap spectacle, the 22-year-old shared just how excited he is to be stepping into the cockpit of a Formula 1 car in Melbourne, having played the role of Reserve driver just 12 months ago.

“To be honest, I’m super keen to get on the track, there’s been so much build-up — a long time since we finished up in Abu Dhabi, so I’m excited to get tomorrow, FP1 underway and enjoy actually driving again,” Doohan said. 

“[My goals are] to enjoy it. Enjoy each time on track. That’s why I’m here, because I enjoy what I do.

“And to work hard with the team to ensure that we’ve extracted everything we could from Bahrain pre-season testing and put that into play for this weekend and deliver on track, whatever the car’s potential is.”

However, it wouldn’t be a press conference without young Jack being reminded of Alpine’s looming Argentine Reserve Driver, Franco Colapinto, and the growing rumour of a potential early-season replacement. 

“Great question!” Doohan joked. 

“I haven’t been thinking about any of that because, as you all know, there’s no point thinking about rumours.

“I have a contract for at least this year, if not more so I look forward to many home Grands Prix.

“And the uncertainties, you don’t bother worrying about them anyway. 

“I have to perform each and every time I’m in the car regardless of one guy chasing my seat… we actually have four now.

“Four Reserve Drivers, all of them, not just Franco, probably want my seat, if not Pierre’s as well.”

Unsure of claiming his rookie status, the Australian reflected upon his debut weekend in the Abu Dhabi season finale, deeming his surprise entrance “important”. 

“To be honest, going into Abu Dhabi, there were nerves. I was already thinking about here, this weekend, back then,” he said.

“My, sort of, feelings have changed quite a lot since then — So much time to digest that this weekend was going to happen, a lot of off-period, so I’ve become very confident and relaxed with what’s to come. 

“It’s helped a lot, you know, the team also have been amazing to aid with that.

“Abu Dhabi was great just to go through the motions and learn how the weekend goes actually being in the driver’s seat and not from a third [driver] point of view.”

As the grandstands already begin to fill up at Albert Park, Doohan said he’s not feeling the pressure, crediting his pre-season preparation for his excited mindset, one shared by Oscar Piastri.  

“I don’t necessarily agree that there’s more pressure than other home races,” the rookie said. 

“I suppose there’s two of us — Max [Verstappen] is the only Dutch driver and there’s a lot of those raging fans in Zandvoort, to say the least.

“But no, the off-season was good. I started work early with the team, you know, I know I’m mentally fit, physically fit, I’ve done the groundwork so for me, the nerves, the pressure, it shouldn’t really be an issue. 

“I’ve done everything that I can to put my best foot forward, and then the rest, you don’t think about the rest, that will come as it will be. 

“I’m just looking forward to actually driving.”

Doohan’s first showing in front of his home crowd will take place at 12:30 PM on Friday, with the two opening practice sessions primed to reveal the direction of the Australian’s home Grand Prix weekend. 

Image: Getty Images: Speed Media/Icon Sportswire/Dave Hewison

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