Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has stood up for the team's choice to enlist four reserve drivers for 2025.
Rookie Jack Doohan is under intense scrutiny, with team adviser Flavio Briatore openly positioning Franco Colapinto as a potential replacement for the race seat at some point.
"I have one guy chasing my seat," the Australian newcomer said, "but we actually have four now. If you didn't realise, we have four reserves. All four of them, not just Franco, probably want my seat and if not, Pierre (Gasly)'s as well."
The reserve roster started to grow late in 2024 with Paul Aron, followed more recently by Colapinto and Ryo Hirakawa, and finally Kush Maini, a 24-year-old Formula 2 driver from India.
Oakes justified the crowded lineup.
"Paul was already in our program, and the Franco opportunity presented itself as a choice for the future," he told France's Auto Hebdo.
"The driver market will evolve, and we wanted to have long-term options. Not to mention that we need these reserve drivers for TPC testing, the simulator, etc."
Oakes admitted the weight on Doohan's shoulders is significant but stressed: "Obviously, no regular driver likes to feel pressure like that.
"But Pierre and Jack know they have our full support."
