Johnny Herbert has a worrying prediction for Jack Doohan (Image: Getty)
steward Johnny Herbert believes that is on ‘borrowed time’ at after Flavio Briatore moved to sign from on a five-year deal, initially starting as a test and reserve driver.
Doohan was signed to replace the Haas-bound for the 2025 season after impressing during a year on the sidelines as a reserve driver. He made his debut in Abu Dhabi ahead of his full rookie season, but the mood heading into that campaign is reserved.
Throughout the off-season, reports have circulated , and with Colapinto, Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa all waiting in the wings, Briatore and Oliver Oakes won’t be short on options if they decide to pull the trigger.
Discussing Doohan’s chances, Herbert told : “I think Jack Doohan will believe he’s on borrowed time already, when I’m speaking to people, they feel exactly the same thing.
“Doohan has got to deliver, and if he doesn’t deliver against , I know Flavio Briatore very well, Doohan will be out. He’ll be out as quick as he blinks. So [the] pressure’s on his shoulders now for him to perform.
Jack Doohan is already under pressure at Alpine (Image: Getty)
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“That’s part of the sport, unfortunately, especially in Formula One, it’s not always full of budding roses. It’s a massive amount of pressure for Doohan, but that’s what the deal is. You have to get in the car, and you have to perform.
“And Gasly is a driver that is very comfortable in the team at the present time. There’s a lot of support for him in that team, obviously being a Frenchman. But now it’s up to Doohan. He’s got a massive amount of pressure on his shoulders because Franco Colapinto will be there in the back of the garage.
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“He’ll be there on TV with him sort of over the shoulder of Briatore and wherever it may be. And that’s where all those little elements of doubt start to come into play. And doubt is something you definitely do not want.”
If Doohan cannot impress, Colapinto will be an ample replacement for the young Australian. The 21-year-old scored points in two of his first four F1 races with Williams in 2024 and attracted a wealth of new sponsors and adoring fans, turning him into a superstar in Latin America.