Jack Doohan details talks with 'brutal' Flavio Briatore over F1 future speculation

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Jack Doohan has praised Flavio Briatore's "brutal" approach at Alpine, with the Australian having held talks over the speculation surrounding his F1 future. Briatore rejoined the Enstone-based team last year as an executive advisor and has been tasked with getting Alpine back towards the top of the sport.  Progress has been made since the former Renault team boss returned, although only so much is in the Italian's control.  The 75-year-old's presence is notable in the Alpine garage; however, he is also doing what he can to ensure Doohan and Pierre Gasly have a competitive package. Speaking to select media, including RacingNews365, Doohan explained what Briatore has done for the team: "I think, just trying to give us a car that we can perform in, and trying to do everything in his power to make sure that we can get Alpine back to the front and make us as competitive as possible." "We know in this sport that can't happen overnight. And there's obviously a combination of factors that come in to put this car all together.  "Some places where there's, let's say, more recharge, less recharge, along the straights where we suffer a little bit more in some places, which is a bit out of our control.  "So there's only so much that we can do and that he can do. But as well as us drivers, we're trying to make sure that when the car is in that window, that we can extract points and make the most of the package we have. But he's doing an exceptional job." 'No BS' Briatore Briatore is a unique individual with a bold personality, one which often results in the spotlight being directly on him.  That can be a hinderance for some, although Doohan has embraced and admires Briatore's character and way of working. "For sure, amazing," Doohan continued, discussing Briatore's personality. "I think, such an icon, someone that I've looked up to for a very, very long time. "And I love the brutal and [him being] very to the point, where there's there's no BS, there's no mucking around, you find out what's going on very, very quickly. I prefer that much more than Chinese whispers, obviously." A critical Alpine area controlled by Briatore is the drivers, with Doohan's seat having been heavily linked to Franco Colapinto.  It has resulted in conversations between Doohan and the advisor, who has delivered him potentially career-saving advice. "Yeah, for sure. Things were clear and what was happening. He was just wanting me to do well, and the best will happen and forget about the noise, forget about what's going on, just do the best that I possibly can. "Things are always out there for a reason, nothing gets out by mistake. So I think just keep my head down and doing my job and and knowing what's real and what's not."