Jack Doohan, an Australian driver currently in Formula 2, has already been in Alpine’s development program for several seasons. Like his compatriot Oscar Piastri, the Australian becomes an official reserve driver for Alpine. He will therefore have the opportunity to take the wheel of the Alpine A523 if one of the two regular drivers were to be unable to participate in a race.
In 2022, Doohan finished 6th in the F2 championship with Virtuosi Racing, notably winning 3 races. This 2023 season, while the winter tests are currently taking place in Bahrain, he will also be driving with the same team. Alpine took advantage of the unveiling of their new F1 car to announce him as a reserve driver.
Jack Doohan was already able to drive the Alpine F1 last year during practice sessions 1 at the Mexican Grand Prix in particular. Jacques Villeneuve, on his part, believed that the Australian driver deserved a chance at Alpine, and now it’s a done deal: « Why not give Doohan a chance? Instead of spending a year preparing him like they did with Piastri, Alpine should throw him directly into the deep end and see how he fares. »
Jack Doohan’s objectives set by his manager, Otmar Szafnauer, this season, remain focused on F2 and a potential championship win: « He will be part of the Alpine family in the future, but his goal for next year will be to win the [Formula 2] championship. He is really very talented. He is very professional for a young man, and he works hard, he prepares well. He drives for himself… He really has great potential. »
