In the high-octane world of Formula 1, rookie Jack Doohan has found an ally in teammate Pierre Gasly amidst the swirling rumours surrounding his future with Alpine. Gasly’s advice to Doohan ahead of the F1 2025 season? Stay focused on the wheel.
Doohan dipped his toes into the F1 racing circuit last year at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, stepping in for Esteban Ocon who was Haas-bound. Despite making a solid debut, Doohan is heading into the 2025 season with a considerable amount of pressure.
“Jack has to focus on his driving,” says Gasly, offering support to the rookie racer. The seasoned racer further suggested that the introduction of all-new cars in 2026 would mean technical feedback isn’t as crucial. This, Gasly believes, could alleviate some pressure from Doohan.
However, the waters are far from calm for Doohan. Rumours have been circulating that he has not been promised an entire season in the A525, with Franco Colapinto, the potential replacement, already serving as a reserve driver.
Flavio Briatore, the Alpine executive director, has been transparent about the situation. He confirmed the start of the year would see Pierre and Jack at the helm, but anything beyond that remained uncertain.
The young Doohan’s future in the F1 2025 campaign is understood to hinge on his performance, just like all other drivers. Oliver Oakes, the team boss, has assured that Doohan would be given a “fair chance,” however, he acknowledged that Colapinto could be considered for future races.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Gasly has been a beacon of support for Doohan. He points out that the changing regulations mean that their technical feedback wouldn’t affect the design of next year’s car. Gasly believes this could lessen some of the pressure on Doohan, allowing him to focus on his driving skills.
“Doohan is technically good,” Gasly praises, referencing Doohan’s performance in the simulator tests over the past two years.
Doohan is among several rookies making their debut this year, including Liam Lawson, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar. Gasly has highlighted his interest in Hadjar’s performance, given their close personal relationship.
“I know Isack well. I’ve observed his growth over the past few seasons,” Gasly revealed. He also mentioned his close-knit relationship with Hadjar’s family and their shared professional network.
Gasly is clearly optimistic about Hadjar’s talent, acknowledging his speed and understanding of the areas he needs to improve. With the stage set for an exciting season, all eyes will be on these rookies, their evolution and their impact on the future of Formula 1.