By Alan Baldwin
LONDON (Reuters) -The Alpine Formula One team piled pressure on Australian rookie Jack Doohan on Thursday by signing Argentine Franco Colapinto as a reserve ready to replace him.
Renault-owned Alpine said the 21-year-old, impressive despite several crashes last year when he was brought in mid-season by Williams to replace dropped American Logan Sargeant, had joined on a multi-year deal.
There has been speculation for months about Doohan’s future, and the likelihood that the son of motorcycle great Mick will be swapped out for Colapinto if he fails to hit performance targets.
Doohan, also 21, was the team reserve before making his race debut in Abu Dhabi last month for the departed French driver Esteban Ocon.
“Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now,” said Alpine’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore, whose words will also have done little for Doohan’s morale.
“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 on their reserve list.
Doohan’s promotion to the race seat was announced in August, after former boss Briatore’s return to the team was confirmed and Oliver Oakes had been appointed principal, but before Colapinto’s race debut at Monza on Sept 1.
“We’ll start the year with Pierre (Gasly) and Jack, I can guarantee that. After that, we’ll see as the season progresses,” Briatore told France’s Le Parisien newspaper last month in comments that rang alarm bells.
Williams boss James Vowles said Colapinto, who has attracted strong sponsor interest and fan support in Latin America, deserved a place in F1.
“We believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco’s best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026,” the Briton said.
“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.”
The F1 season starts with Doohan’s home Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Ed Osmond)
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