Australia’s newest Formula 1 star may boast one of the country’s most famous racing names, but legacy means little in the cut-throat world of the most prestigious sport on wheels.

And Jack Doohan, the son of motorcycle legend Mick, has been hit with the torch before he’s even really started.

With just one race to his name - a final-round debut in Abu Dhabi in 2024 - and he hasn’t yet begun his maiden season.

But it appears the Australian has already been handed a three-race ultimatum: impress the Alpine brass and match veteran French teammate Pierre Gasly, or face his F1 career being extinguished by rising Argentine superstar Franco Colapinto.

It’s not fair, but racing never is. Doohan, just the fourth Australian to race F1 this millennium, has shown he won’t give up easily.

“To be honest, I haven’t been thinking about any of that because, as you all know, there’s no point thinking about rumours or commenting on them,” the 22-year-old said on Thursday as he geared up for his first home Grand Prix.

“I have a contract for at least this year, if not more, so I look forward to many home Grands Prix. The uncertainties, you don’t bother worrying about them anyway.

“I think I have to perform each and every time I’m in the car, regardless of… I had one guy chasing my seat; we actually have four now… if you didn’t realise, we have four reserve drivers. All four of them, not just Franco, probably wants my seat, and if not Pierre’s as well.

“I wanted (the race drivers’) seats while I was reserve driver the last two years... I’m going to enjoy every race as (if) it’s my last. I want to enjoy each and every moment that I’m in the car. There’s not much more to add on that.”

Colapinto had tongues wagging during a nine-race fill-in stint for Williams at the end of last season. But he was without a seat in the off-season and was poached as a reserve driver by Alpine.

It means his spectre looms over Doohan this season. But the Aussie is no slouch behind the wheel.

He spent much of last year as a reserve driver at Alpine, but the year before that, he finished third in Formula 2.

However, the Queenslander’s history of winning dates back to his childhood ruling the Go Kart tracks across the country.

In 2014, aged 11, Doohan won his first major titles, the CIK Stars of Karting Series and the Queensland Kart Championship.

He won an Australian Kart Championship the next year and could have been poised to follow his five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion father’s footsteps if not for the influence of F1 phenomenon and legend Michael Schumacher.

The Ferrari savant gifted Doohan and his sister their first karts, and Jack raced against Schumacher’s son Mick, who raced with Haas for two campaigns.

“They both grew up driving go-karts around and (Schumacher) helped Jack sway towards four wheels over two wheels, which I was very happy about,” Mick Doohan said on Friday.

The Aussie found international karting success before following Schumacher, who won seven world titles, towards F1, jumping into a car in 2018.

He started in Formula 4, but a breakout season in 2021 saw Doohan finish second in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, establishing himself as one of the sport’s rising stars.

And in August 2024, he’s dreams became a reality as Alpine elevated Doohan to the big leagues with Esteban Ocon leaving for Haas.

But nothing can ever just be easy as his team locked in the sensational signing of Colapinto during the winter, prompting controversial executive advisor for Alpine Flavio Briatore to reportedly want Doohan out.

No matter what happens, Doohan will have his father in his corner, and Mick knows his son is a competitor at heart.

“I think from a young age, whether it was rugby, or even school athletics, second was never an option (for Jack),” Mick said in an interview for Mercedes-Benz in 2022.

“He wasn’t a happy podium placer. I think that’s just a natural thing … you’ve either got that, or you haven’t. Jack’s not happy if he’s not winning, and when things don’t go well, it’s not, ‘Well, we did our best.’

“There has to be a reason for why things haven’t gone that well. I think, whether it be in sport or in business or whatever, that makes the difference between somebody wanting to succeed, and somebody who’s just happy to play the game.”

Mick doubled down in his belief on Friday just before his son hit Albert Park for the first practice session of the season.

“He can handle it all. He seems relaxed. I am just here to be a dad,” he said during a TV interview today.

“He’s been karting since he was very young. He has worked towards this his whole life. To put himself in this position is no mean feat.

“He needs to enjoy it and do the best he can. He’s well accustomed to it. It’s just great he gets to start 2025 here in Melbourne.”

Regardless of the speculation, there are only 20 seats on the F1 grid, and earning one means you are one of the best drivers alive.

So, even if it only lasts three races, Doohan will have continued his family legacy.