Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar came to the defense of their Formula 1 rookie colleague, Jack Doohan, after Alpine’s decision to sideline the Australian after only six races of the 24 scheduled for the season.
Doohan, who failed to score points, has been replaced by the Argentinian Franco Colapinto for at least the next five races. Colapinto had been considered for the position since his arrival as a reserve in January, after a nine-race period with Williams last year.
I can imagine that it’s a horrible situation and I feel that his treatment was very unfair.
Oliver Bearman
Bearman, Haas driver, who scored points in his debut with Ferrari last year, commented that Doohan, 22, had to deal with extra pressure from the start.
The Haas driver added that, “We have gone to four of six tracks that have been new to us as rookies. We have had two sprint events which are even more difficult for us as rookies, of races with limited practice time available.
Before he reached the European season, where the tracks he knows are, he was already fired from the car. Incredibly harsh. Imagine.
Doohan, son of the great motorcyclist Mick, remains on Alpine’s driver list and will spend time in the simulator while Colapinto adapts to the car.
Hadjar, whose teammate Liam Lawson was promoted to the Red Bull main team and then relegated after only two races this year, agreed that Doohan had it tough from the start.
Even before the season, it smelled a bit bad, because I think he entered the season with a lot of pressure, expectations. So it’s not a good environment. And it feels quite unfair, because in six races he didn’t have much time to prove anything, and it’s not like he had a rocket either. So, yes, a bit harsh.
Isack Hadjar
Lawson agreed that Doohan deserved more opportunities.
He is very ruthless. In his first season, I think he did enough to be in Formula One. He deserves to come back. There are 20 seats, it’s very difficult.
Liam Lawson
