Jack Doohan is reportedly being helped to keep hold of his seat by a €10m (£8.5m) sponsor, who Alpine would have to pay off, according to Ralf Schumacher. The Australian racer is allegedly set to receive time until the summer break to prove his worth on the F1 grid.

“I don’t want to say it quite as harshly as Dr. Marko said that he’s a Class C driver,” Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast. “He is not a Class C driver, certainly, he’s a good driver, but, in my opinion, not good enough for Formula One.

“It is still a bit early of course, and he has a very experienced teammate in Gasly, who is also settled into the team and is receiving support. That’s why it’s maybe a bit harsh and unfair, but I would say that in relation to the other rookies, you can see that he’s someone who might not necessarily be competing for the world championship at some point, so to speak.

“And if the money doesn’t come in from Colapinto, then I don’t think he will be exchanged for the time being, because I hear Doohan also has a sponsor worth €10m [£8.5m] in the bag, and that has to be paid out somehow. I can imagine that he will survive somehow, but Flavio is always good for a surprise.”