Doohan to race for Alpine
Alpine Academy and Formula 2 driver Jack Doohan will be making his Formula One debut at the first practice session of the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. Doohan will be racing in place of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon for the French team.
After his FP1 debut at the Mexican Grand Prix, the 19-year old will also get another FP1 outing during the 2022 season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Doohan has already driven the Alpine machinery, when he completed 100km at Monza in September this year. He has also tested Alpine’s 2021 car at Qatar and Budapest earlier this year.
Doohan, who races for Virtuosi in Formula 2, joined the Alpine Academy earlier in 2022 following his runners-up campaign at the 2021 Formula 3 campaign. The Australian currently sits fourth in the Formula 2 championship standings, with three wins and six podiums this season.
Speaking about his upcoming debut in Formula One, Jack Doohan, commented,
“I’m extremely grateful to Alpine for giving me this opportunity to drive in Free Practice in Mexico. It’s always a huge honour to be entrusted to drive a Formula One car, so to have the opportunity on a Grand Prix weekend is very special. Ultimately, the aim is to be doing this every week and this experience is another step closer to achieving that goal.
‘I’ve prepared as best as I can, and I think it’s going to be very exciting to experience the car at this type of circuit with the high altitude and very high top speed. I’ll work hard on the day, do everything the team sets out and, at the same time, enjoy the moment as I know it’s going to be a unique opportunity.”
Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal, Alpine, added,
“We are very pleased to announce Jack will join the team in Mexico and take over driving duties for Free Practice 1. We have all been impressed with Jack’s progression across many areas this season and he’s deserving of this chance as we continue to nurture his high potential.
‘It’s important to give our young drivers opportunities to test Formula One cars and our Academy programme has proven to be successful in doing just that. We expect Jack to work hard during the session and take as much as he can from the experience of being involved in a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.”
Doohan is son of legendary five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan.
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