Jack Doohan has made it clear that he is fully committed to establishing himself as a permanent fixture on the Formula 1 grid.
The Australian rookie is set to partner Pierre Gasly at Alpine for the start of 2025, but with highly-rated reserve driver Franco Colapinto now in the team's ranks, Flavio Briatore appears to have an eye on the future.
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has dismissed speculation that Briatore's move is intended to place additional pressure on Doohan, despite the 22-year-old's lacklustre F1 debut in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season.
However, former F1 steward Johnny Herbert believes Doohan is already under intense scrutiny.
"I think Jack will believe he's on borrowed time already. When I'm speaking to people, they feel exactly the same thing," he said.
"Doohan has got to deliver, and if he doesn't deliver against Pierre Gasly, I know Flavio Briatore very well, Doohan will be out," said Herbert, who himself was pushed out of Benetton by Briatore during his time as Michael Schumacher's teammate.
Despite external doubts, Doohan insists he is fully focused on proving his worth and securing his place in F1 for the long haul.
"I've watched these guys since I was a little boy, especially Lewis (Hamilton)," said Doohan, son of motorcycling great Mick Doohan.
"To be one of the 20 drivers on the grid is very special and I can't wait to cement my place in the future."
Meanwhile, Doohan's more experienced Alpine teammate, Pierre Gasly, is setting realistic targets for the upcoming season. After Alpine endured a rough start to 2024 but eventually climbed to fifth in the constructors' standings, Gasly is aiming for further progress.
"The hope?" Gasly told Autosprint. "I would say a top five finish in the constructors' championship – that's what I want and I think it's absolutely achievable.
"Deep down it's clear that I would like to get a better result, but I have to be objective and I know it will be a compact and competitive (midfield) group," he added.
"I don't expect huge changes compared to last year."
