The stakes are rising for Jack Doohan as Alpine secures promising Argentine driver Franco Colapinto on a multi-year deal.
The agreement, reached between Alpine's influential executive advisor Flavio Briatore and Williams boss James Vowles, positions Colapinto as a reserve driver for 2025. However, speculation is already swirling about a potential mid-season promotion.
"We believe this agreement with Alpine represents Franco's best chance of securing a race seat in 2025 or 2026," Vowles said in a statement.
According to the German news agency DPA, Doohan's spot in the Alpine lineup for 2025 is guaranteed only for the first six races of the season.
"We will start the year with Pierre (Gasly) and Jack, I can guarantee you that," Briatore told Le Parisien newspaper. "Then, we will see during the season."
When pressed on whether Doohan's position is secure through the end of the year, Briatore's response was blunt: "The only thing that is certain is death.
"I have to put the team in a position to achieve results," the 74-year-old Italian continued. "The drivers are responsible for finishing the work of around 1000 people behind them. They all work for just two people.
"If a driver doesn't deliver results, doesn't progress, he will be replaced. You can't be emotional in Formula 1."
