‘He can be very proud’ – Piastri voices support for Doohan after fellow Australian’s Alpine demotion

Oscar Piastri has shared support for Jack Doohan following the news that the Alpine driver will lose his race seat from the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend.

More rumours swirled over Doohan’s future last time out in Miami and, after a difficult weekend that culminated in a collision at the start of the Grand Prix, Alpine announced that he was to be replaced.

READ MORE: Alpine confirm Colapinto to replace Doohan for next five rounds as team opt to ‘rotate’ seat

Reserve driver Franco Colapinto – who raced for Williams over the second half of last season – will take Doohan’s spot in a seat “rotation” for at least the next five rounds, with the Australian remaining “an integral part of the team” and their “first-choice” back-up.

Speaking just before the news was communicated by Alpine, who also accepted the resignation of team boss Oliver Oakes this week, Piastri sympathised with his fellow racer – and backed him for a “successful” future.

“I think if it is the end of the road for Jack, he can be very proud of firstly making it to F1,” Piastri told the Wide World of Sports show.

ANALYSIS: Why Alpine chose to promote Colapinto and bench Doohan – concluding a dramatic 12 hours after Oakes’ resignation

“It’s not an easy thing, especially coming from Australia – there’s a lot of hard decisions along the way.

“If he has had his final race, I think hold your head up high, you’ve been an F1 driver, and no one can take that away from you.”

Pondering what might be next for the 22-year-old, Piastri commented: “I’m sure he’ll have a successful career in whatever happens.”

Piastri himself previously represented Alpine as a junior and reserve driver, before parting ways with the organisation in controversial circumstances and making his F1 debut for McLaren in 2023.

READ MORE: Alpine share more information over Oakes’ departure as team boss after ‘personal decision’

While Australia loses part of its representation on the F1 grid with Doohan’s demotion, Piastri continues to fly the flag for the country – while sitting atop the Drivers’ Championship standings.