Alpine racing driver Jack Doohan has avoided questions surrounding his future in Formula 1 amidst Helmut Marko’s latest brutal assessment of the rookie.
Marko ranked all of the ‘rookies’, including Doohan, in a recent interview with the Red Bull-owned television channel Servus TV.
The senior advisor for the Milton Keynes-based team believes the Australian is the weakest newcomer to F1, suggesting that Alpine may dismiss him before the end of the season.
“He is a ‘C’,” the Austrian replied when asked to grade the 22-year-old.
“I don’t think he will complete the season.”
This isn’t the first time Marko has expressed how he was left unimpressed with Doohan’s skills as a racing driver.
Back in January, he mentioned that he expected more from Doohan’s F1 debut in Abu Dhabi.
The former Formula 2 graduate has faced questions about his future throughout the off-season, even though he has yet to compete in a Grand Prix in 2025.
Franco Colapinto was signed to Alpine as its reserve driver at the start of the year, with reports suggesting he could replace Doohan during the season.
Team supervisor Flavio Briatore insisted that the Enstone-based squad would stick with the Aussie for the start of the season, but he added: “After that, we will see.”
In response to the outside noise, Doohan said how he chooses to ignore the paddock gossip, ahead of his home race – the Australian Grand Prix.
“I haven’t been thinking about any of that because, as you all know, there’s no point thinking about rumours or commenting on them,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But I have a contract for at least this year, if not more.
“So, I look forward to many home grands prix.”
Doohan: ‘I’m going to enjoy every race as if it’s my last’
The Gold Coast-born racing driver went on to point out how he has four drivers after his seat on the grid, as Alpine recently hired Kush Maini to its reserve drivers list alongside Colapinto, Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa.
But whilst there is more competition for Doohan, he insists that his focus remains on enjoying every second of his time in the Alpine car.
“And the uncertainties? You don’t bother worrying about them,” he added.
“I have to perform each and every time I’m in the car.
“I have one guy chasing my seat, but we actually have four now, if you didn’t realise, we have four reserves.
“You have all four of them, not just Franco, [who] probably wants my seat and if not, Pierre’s [Gasly] as well.
“And I wanted their seats while I was reserve driver the last two years.
“So, I’m going to enjoy, to be honest, every race as if it’s my last because I want to enjoy each and every moment I’m in the car.”
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