Jack Doohan set for F1 drive next season with boss of Alpine Bruno Famin declaring him an ‘unsung hero’

Matt Shrivell
The Nightly
Aussie reserve driver Jack Doohan walks to the paddock ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Aussie reserve driver Jack Doohan walks to the paddock ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Credit: AAP

Legendary superbike rider Michael Doohan’s son Jack looks set to take his spot in a Formula 1 car next season as he continues to impress powerbrokers at Team Alpine.

Another Aussie Oscar Piastri paved the way for Doohan with his departure to McLaren and the 21-year-old Queenslander has not looked back.

Doohan has been shadowing the main team at F1 events around the world and has appeared on the track numerous times doing practice laps before a wonderful session in Canada recently.

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“It’s difficult to say anything with Formula 1 is for certain,” Doohan told Sky Sports.

“My dream is to be on the grid. My dream is to be in Formula 1.

“I’m here obviously with the team as a reserve driver preparing myself to be in the car. That is where I want to be. Every time I get to do that — whether it’s the sim, on track, experiencing myself in marketing, with comms — I’m trying to position myself to get that opportunity.

“Nothing is for certain. There are no givens.”

Alpine Boss Bruno Famin spoke glowingly of the youngster when interviewed by Sky Sports in Montreal and confirmed he is being groomed to get the nod as one of their two top-level drivers for the 2025 season following the announcement of Esteban Ocon’s departure.

“We are preparing him. He has been testing for a long time. He has quite a heavy testing program, and we’re happy with that. Let’s see how he develops.,’’ Famin said.

“He is one possibility, among others, but he is a possibility for sure.”

Famin recently made special mention of the efforts Doohan has been providing to assist the top-flight Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Ocon, describing him as an ‘unsung hero’ on the team’s website.

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