Jack Doohan just made a ‘team orders’ claim that suggests he’s already under pressure from Franco Colapinto at Alpine

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Jack Doohan should be getting more and more excited right now as his first full Formula 1 season with Alpine is fast approaching.

The Australian Grand Prix is a fitting venue for Jack Doohan’s second Grand Prix as he will have the support of thousands of home fans to spur him on after he made his unexpected F1 debut in Abu Dhabi last year.

However, out of all of the rookies entering the sport in 2025, it appears that Doohan is the most under pressure.

Flavio Briatore – Alpine’s senior advisor – is notorious for his ruthless approach to hiring and firing Formula 1 drivers.

He was quick to move Esteban Ocon on before last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of signing for Haas and would have likely played a part in three new reserve and development drivers being signed by Alpine over the winter break.

Franco Colapinto is by far the biggest threat to Doohan’s F1 career after the explosive start he made with Williams halfway through last year when he replaced Logan Sargeant.

The Argentine has a huge following and brings plenty of sponsors with him and Briatore won’t hesitate to switch the two youngsters if Doohan doesn’t perform.

Doohan recently took part in an interview on Castrol’s YouTube channel and one answer he gave speaks volumes about the role he needs to play at Alpine to save his seat this year.

Jack Doohan happy to follow ‘team orders’ ahead of the 2025 F1 season

Doohan was taking part in an interview alongside rally legend Petter Solberg and was asked the question of ‘team orders’ or ‘pedal to the metal’.

Solberg quickly replied, ‘Pedal to the metal, 100%!’, before Doohan said, ‘Team orders’.

The Norwegian star couldn’t believe Doohan’s answer before the new Alpine driver added, ‘I’m a rookie! I’m a rookie, you’re a vet! Different circumstances!’

READ MORE: Who is Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan? All to know from his girlfriend to dad

Doohan will be partnering the very impressive Pierre Gasly this year and the Frenchman is the clear number-one driver due to his experience and previous success in F1.

Gasly and Ocon never had the greatest relationship and will hope that in Doohan he’s got an easier-to-control teammate.

However, there are already signs that his relationship with Colapinto is burgeoning at Alpine.

Why is Jack Doohan already under pressure at Alpine?

Doohan was Alpine’s reserve driver last year and was seen at every race helping the team and regularly fulfilling certain media duties.

Gasly hailed Doohan’s contribution to Alpine’s success in 2024 with his work in the simulator, but that doesn’t always earn a driver a race seat the following year as Felipe Drugovich at Aston Martin will attest to.

Unfortunately, Doohan’s F1 contract may only last several races, meaning he needs to perform immediately.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Jolyon Palmer was underwhelmed by Doohan’s debut and while the start of the 2025 season will see him begin on a more level playing field, he simply can’t afford any mistakes.

Gasly and Colapinto have been spotted socialising outside of Alpine’s factory, and while that means very little, the Argentine’s popularity may end up playing a role in the team’s final decision on who to continue with as the campaign progresses.

All Doohan can do is produce the best results possible and get as close to Gasly as he can to show that he deserves the opportunity to become an established Formula 1 driver.

Doohan already saw off the threat of Mick Schumacher during testing and as long as he listens to Alpine’s team orders, he can’t do any more to cement his F1 career.