Fernando Alonso, the two-time F1 World Champion, recently stirred discussions with his unique perspective on Jack Doohan’s demotion from the Alpine team after just a few races.
While most drivers sympathized with Doohan, Alonso believes rookies today face considerably different challenges compared to two decades ago. According to Alonso, modern F1 newcomers are well-prepared and pressure-free as they enter the racing track. “There is a lot of preparation,” Alonso stated, noting that young drivers undergo extensive training in Formula 3 and Formula 2, in addition to simulator programs. His debut experience starkly contrasts with these rigorous preparations, where he faced logistical challenges just days before his first race.
Unfortunately for Doohan, after debuting with Alpine at the tense Abu Dhabi finale, the team decided to pull him back to the reserve pool. Consequently, Argentine Franco Colapinto took his place as a primary driver. With similar decisions seen across various teams, the trend of demanding immediate performance from rookie drivers becomes evident. Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Kimi Antonelli symbolize this shift, highlighting teams’ diminishing patience for nurturing talent.
Interestingly, other rookies like Oliver Bearman at Haas imagine the pressure as overwhelming from the start. Bearman, who himself is navigating fresh tracks, felt Doohan’s treatment was undeserved and too harsh. The switch happened before Doohan could familiarize himself with the European circuits known to him. Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar shared a similar sentiment, emphasizing the supportive environment he’s experienced, which contrasts sharply with Doohan’s scenario.
Alonso’s perspective may also be influenced by his longtime manager Flavio Briatore, who is deeply involved with strategic decisions at Alpine. Thus, while Alonso voices an unapologetic stance on F1 preparedness, the broader paddock sentiment reflects empathy for Doohan’s swift displacement in a sport where adaptation is key.
Alonso’s candid remarks highlight a stark divergence in how rookie drivers’ pressures are perceived. While he underscores their ample preparation, the swift execution demanded by teams and the emotional responses from contemporaries reflect how few opportunities rookies have to prove themselves in modern F1.
