Jack Doohan, offspring of the legendary two-wheeled Australian champion Mick, is steering clear of the Formula 2 grid for the upcoming year. Instead, he is amplifying his focus on his Formula 1 ambitions with Alpine.
As a reserve driver for Alpine, the 20-year-old got behind the wheel of Pierre Gasly’s car during the early Friday practice session in Mexico – part of the team’s rookie driver requirement for the 2023 season. Doohan then got out of the car and confirmed that he would not be making a return to Formula 2 for a third consecutive stint in 2024.
“My two years in Formula 2 haven’t necessarily gone exactly to plan,” Doohan candidly shared with the Australian Associated Press and other publications in Mexico City. Despite finishing sixth in 2022 and currently standing fourth overall in the 2023 season, he has decided to bow out of the series, choosing not to chase the championship title next year.
EYES ON THE PRIZE: DOOHAN’S ALPINE ASPIRATIONS
“I think I’ve done well and been able to show my capabilities,” Doohan reflected, addressing his performance in Formula 2. He acknowledged the precarious nature of remaining in the series, pointing out, “Doing another year of F2, if you win it, it’s expected, and if you don’t … there’s all to lose and not much to gain, so I think we’re doing the right thing.”
Notwithstanding his F2 snub, Doohan remains undeterred in his pursuit of a Formula 1 seat with Alpine, affirming, “The goal and trajectory is still Formula 1, and the team is still pushing for that, with me staying within the team and still pushing for that seat. This is my route, and I’m sure I’ll get there.”
DOOHAN AND LE MANS?
Meanwhile, the world of endurance racing has witnessed Mick Schumacher, named after Jack’s legendary father, test driving Alpine’s new top-category Le Mans-style prototype car at Jerez. This development prompts the question: Will Doohan get a similar opportunity? Bruno Famin, Alpine’s interim F1 boss, clarified the situation to France’s Auto Hebdo, stating, “We tested him in LMP2. We have no plans to test him in the hypercar at this time. Perhaps he will, but the LMP2 test was already quite representative.”