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Jack Doohan’s former rivals have spoken up in support of him after Alpine dropped him from their line-up six rounds into his debut season.

Franco Colapinto will make his first start for Alpine this weekend as Doohan’s replacement. Nico Hulkenberg, who drove for the team from 2017 to 2019 when it was known as Renault, said it was clear once Alpine hired Colapinto as a reserve driver that Doohan was at risk of losing his seat.

“It’s obviously tough,” he told the official Formula 1 channel. “I think even when Jack started there, over the winter it was always, obviously, with Franco around, it was a tough environment to start in as a rookie.”

Hulkenberg lost his first F1 seat after one season at Williams, then returned at Force India after a year as a test driver. He spent another four seasons out – aside from a handful of substitute appearances – after losing his Renault seat.

“I feel sorry for him in a way,” Hulkenberg continued, “he didn’t obviously have much time to prove and to grow. I know how difficult it is as a rookie to come in. Being in such a tight mid-pack, it’s hard to really convince [people].

“So that’s typical Formula 1, very cutthroat, very unforgiving in these days. I think especially in that team at that moment.”

Oliver Bearman, who also started his first full season in F1 this year, echoed Hulkenberg’s words. I think it shows that we live in a cutthroat sport,” he said.

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“Even if I don’t really fully agree with what’s happened in that team, I think it’s a little harsh and a little early to make judgments on someone after only six races.

“I think Jack did a great job and I agree that it’s very harsh what happened to him. But it’s also a reminder for all of us that we need to be performing at all times.”

This article will be updated

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