Doohan receives 'as quick as he blinks' Alpine F1 exit warning

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert believes Jack Doohan will be replaced by Franco Colapinto "as quick as he blinks" at Alpine, should he make a mistake. 

Doohan's promotion from Alpine's academy to a full-time F1 seat was confirmed last August; however, last month it was announced that Colapinto had been signed as well. 

Following his nine-race spell with Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant, Colapinto was quickly snapped up by Alpine to become its third and reserve driver. 

Some have reported that Doohan only has a contract for the first five races of the upcoming campaign, with many expecting Colapinto to race for Alpine at some stage this year. 

Herbert has also heard that Doohan is already under significant pressure, and has warned that advisor Flavio Briatore will drop him in a flash for Colapinto if an error is made.

"I think Jack Doohan will believe he’s on borrowed time already, when I’m speaking to people, they feel exactly the same thing," Herbert told Casinoutanspelpaus.

"Doohan has got to deliver, and if he doesn't deliver against Pierre Gasly, I know Flavio Briatore very well, Doohan will be out. 

"He'll be out as quick as he blinks. So pressure's on his shoulders now for him to perform."

Doohan must 'perform'

Of the six full-time F1 rookies on the grid this year, Doohan is by far the most at risk of an early exit. 

It is an unfortunate position for the Australian driver to be in, given the loyalty he has shown to Alpine in recent years. 

However, has pointed out by Herbert, pressure is part of being in the pinnacle of motorsport, with Doohan simply needing to perform at his best.

"That's part of the sport, unfortunately, especially in Formula 1, it's not always full of budding roses. It's a massive amount of pressure for Doohan, but that’s what the deal is. 

"You have to get in the car and you have to perform. And Gasly is a driver that is very comfortable in the team at the present time. There's a lot of support for him in that team, obviously being a Frenchman. 

"But now it's up to Doohan. He's got a massive amount of pressure on his shoulders because Franco Colapinto will be there in the back of the garage. 

"He'll be there on TV with him sort of over the shoulder of Briatore and wherever it may be. And that's where all those little elements of doubt start to come into play. And doubt is something you definitely do not want."