LONDON: Jack Doohan, a rookie in Formula One, stated that he did not feel undercut by Franco Colapinto, who was a fan favorite for his races with Williams the previous season, signing a long-term contract to serve as a reserve driver for his Alpine team.

The 22-year-old Australian was questioned about a move that might jeopardize his future at the Renault-owned team before it has begun to pick up speed, ahead of the sport’s 10-team launch in London on Tuesday.

After making his Formula One race debut in Abu Dhabi at the end of the previous year, Doohan, the son of MotoGP legend Mick, will begin his first full season.

The 21-year-old Argentine Colapinto, who has a lot of sponsors, joined Alpine in January after competing nine times for Williams, the previous champions, last year and earning five points.

When questioned about whether he felt undercut, Doohan responded, “Last year, I was a 21-year-old reserve driver on a long-term contract.”

“No, I don’t. I do not know if I should.

“As a question, I did not really understand that, but definitely not.”

Doohan had previously stated that “you are in such a cutthroat sport that you are going to have pressure on your shoulders,” but he also stated that he would be “embracing it, and just enjoying my Formula One season.”