Formula 1 rookie Jack Doohan has been "reassured" about his Alpine future, according to Martin Brundle.

The Aussie begins his first full F1 season this weekend with his home race in Melbourne. But what should have been a happy period for the 22-year-old has been marred by constant speculation about his future in the sport.

Doohan was given the seat he holds last year after it was announced that Esteban Ocon would be leaving Alpine. However, it was quickly reported that his contract was only for a handful of races with returned chief Flavio Briatore keen to see if their academy graduate will perform.

Speculation that he could be replaced early in this new season has only intensified since Alpine signed Franco Colapinto, initially as a reserve driver, from Williams. And neither Briatore nor team principal Oliver Oakes have gone out of their way to shut down the rumours publicly.

Doohan's future was discussed on Sky Sports' The F1 Show when pundit Brundle said: "It's really hard for him. I saw a picture with four drivers - Pierre Gasly, him, Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron [another reserve]. If I were Jack, I'd think, 'This should be a two-driver shoot, not a four-driver shoot'."