A German journalist revealed that the team demanded he stay within 0.3 seconds of his teammate Gasly. If not fulfilled, he would be replaced in three races
F1 is ready to rev up engines next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, and the Alpine headlines saga between Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto is more alive than ever. According to journalist Michael Schmidt, the Australian driver received an ultimatum from the team to keep his starting position.
The German journalist shared on his Auto Motor und Sport podcast that there is a possible demand from the French team for the second starter. "What I've heard is that Doohan has exactly three races and has to be three-tenths behind Gasly. He'll be replaced when he's half a second behind Gasly. I'd say after the Japanese Grand Prix he'll be gone," he commented.
Michael Schmidt planteó la existencia de un ultimátum a Doohan
"You should actually give him more time, but we all know Flavio Briatore's fuse is short," the communicator highlighted. "I heard he was half a second behind in a comparative test. I thought he did quite well in Bahrain, both in one lap and in the long run," the German added.
Schmidt didn't mention a possible replacement if Doohan were to lose his starting position, so Colapinto will have to fight for the spot with Paul Aron, Kush Maini, and Ryo Hirakawa. Meanwhile, he explained that the one who proposed this scenario is Flavio Briatore, the team's executive advisor.
Another aspect he highlighted was the quality of the Argentine driver, but above all the economic weight he has: "F1 drivers should be given more time, but we all know with Flavio: he has two very good reserve drivers in Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron, and Colapinto could also bring some sponsorship money."
Paul Aron es otra de las opciones para reemplazar a Doohan
If what the journalist announced comes true, Colapinto could be a candidate to take his teammate's place very soon. The deadline race for Doohan would be the Japanese Grand Prix, which will be held on April 6, at which time the Argentine driver will be conducting simulator tests. If he becomes a starting driver, and if nothing changes in the current schedule, the native of Pilar could take his position just in time for the Bahrain race on April 13.
