Formula 1 returns this week with Emilia Romagna’s Grand Prix, which starts the European calendar part. But the grid looks a bit different from what he did in the Miami Grand Prix, with Alpine making the change to Franco Colapint from Jack Doohan.
Thors day media day duration, some of Dohan’s old rivals expressed their support for the driver, launching the nature “cushroat” of Formula 1.
“Unfortunately, it is not really a surprise of some of the decisions that the team has recently been for the team,” said Esteban Ocon during the FIA press conference, who went through his own separation from Alpine. “I don’t have much to say.” Obviously, sad for Jack. I’m sure he will return to F1 at some point. He showed some really strong moments this year in which he described super good and is also super fast in the car, which was good to see. On the other hand, Franco also deserves to be in F1. Last year he showed some great things with Williams’s car, ”Ocon continued.
“Unfortunately, there are not enough cars in the grid to adapt to all the talent that exist. But not much more to say. I am happy where I am.”
Liam Lawson, who treated him his laugh with the transfer to Visa Cash APP Racing Bulls after starting the year in Red Bull, questioned White Doohan had received enough time to succeed in Alpine.
“Yes, I talked to Jack. Obviously for him, it’s very difficult,” said Lawson. “I think he demonstrated enough to remain in Formula 1, surely. He showed enough to be in Formula 1.
“But also, it is difficult: how can you expect in five races to show everything you have, especially in your rookie season? Unfortunately, it is very cutiérgic,” Lawson continued. “But as Esteban said, I think he did enough, even before F1, he made enough to deserve to be there. And he has done enough in F1 to deserve to come. But with 20 seats, he is very, very hard. He says.”
Nico Hülkenberg, who led to the team from 2017 to 2019, when he is competing under the Renault brand, described the situation as a “difficult environment” for a rookie.
“It is obviously difficult,” Sauber’s driver told the official F1 channel. “I think that when Jack began, during the winter it was always, obviously, with Franco around, it was a difficult atmosphere to start as a rookie.
“I feel sorry for him somehow,” Hülkenberg added. “Hello, obviously, I didn’t have much time to try and grow. I know how difficult it is as a rookie to enter. [team bosses of your spot on the grid].
“So that is the typical formula 1, very cutter, very relentless these days. I believe especially in that team at that time.”
Two other rookies, Oliver Bearman and Isack Hadjar, also arrived in Doohan’s defense.
“I think he shows that we live in a Cathroat sport,” Bearman told Channel F1. “Even if I can’t think of what happened in that team, I think it’s a bit hard and a little early to make judgments in some after only six races.
“I think Jack did a great job and I agree that it is very hard what happened to him. But it is also a reminder for all of us that we must act at all times.”
Hadjar described the situation as Doo had a “gun in the head” before the season for a moment. Asked by the media in Icola about the difference between their situation in VCarb and Doohan in Alpine, Hadjar began by saying this: “He had a gun in his head before starting the season, so it was definitely help.
“I had a good support here from day one.”
Hadjar then described the situation Doo endured as “hard.”
“He entered the scene with a lot of pressure, expectations, so it is not a really good atmosphere. He feels quite unfair, you know, six races in, [Doohan] I didn’t have much time to show anything; And it is not that he also has a rocket ship, “Hadjar continued.
“Yes, a little hard.”
As for how long Colapinto will have, Alpine has given him five races to demonstrate Hyth, which is less time than doohan in the network.
When addressing that fact at the FIA press conference, Colapinto said he only hopes to “maximize” his opportunity.
“I don’t know. We’ll see once I drive. But you know, I have a great opportunity ahead,” said Colapint.
“I am happy to be in F1. I do not believe in terms of five races, I am in a happy place, and I am treating it very well. I think that I just want to return to the seat and drive, and of course, after listening to Carlos [Sainz Jr.] Saying that he needs about 10 races to get used to a car, I think five is not enough for me, “Collapinto continued.” I have only driven nine in my life in F1. So yes, it is likely to take some more races, probably a couple of more than five to catch up and maximize everything outside the car.
“But it is what I have and I just want to maximize it, enjoy it and try to do the best for the team.”
