Why did Alpine select Jack Doohan?

The Alpine F1 team has announced that Jack Doohan, who was previously the team’s third driver, will make his F1 debut in 2025 at the age of 22. This announcement comes after an entire campaign without racing, during which he only participated in tests and free practice sessions offered by the Enstone manufacturer. Jack Doohan was the runner-up in F3 in 2022 and finished third in F2 in 2023, with three victories. He is the son of Mick Doohan, a five-time 500cc champion. So there will be three Australians on the grid next season, assuming... Ricciardo doesn’t crash.

In the upcoming season, Doohan will be Gasly’s teammate at Alpine as the team undergoes continuous reconstruction. Oliver Oakes has taken over as the team principal from Bruno Famin, and Flavio Briatore oversees operations both at Enstone and on the track. Jack will serve as a reserve for the rest of the 2024 season and will take regular tests using the A522, which is the car from two seasons ago, to maintain his familiarity with driving.

“I am very happy to secure this promotion to a full-time driving role at Alpine. I am grateful for the trust of the team, and there is a lot of work ahead to be ready. I will do my best in this time to absorb all the information. It is very satisfying to graduate from the Alpine Academy and be a driver for the team. I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me in making it a reality; it is a proud day for my family,” said the driver. Oakes added: “I have worked with Jack back in 2019, and I am fully aware of his raw talent and potential,” he said. “He is a very hard worker behind the scenes, and his commitment is hugely valued by the entire team.”

In recent years, it has been common to see Doohan, alongside his award-winning father, in paddocks across Europe in search of a seat in the top tier of Formula 1. This opportunity seemed possible after Piastri’s departure in the summer of 2022, but Gasly took it.

Now, Doohan is competing with another well-known driver, Mick Schumacher, for the remaining seats. It seems that Bottas is likely to join Sauber, and the only seat that could possibly be lost is Ricciardo’s at RB, with Lawson as a potential replacement. Antonelli is expected to join Mercedes. All the available cars are taken, and drivers are still without contracts. If three new drivers join, there will be three vacant spots on the grid. Sargeant, Magnussen, and possibly Zhou could be the contenders.