Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan will be taking part in FP1 at the Grands Prix in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi as the French outfit fulfills its rookie run commitments.
Alpine has confirmed that the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix FP1 will both feature Jack Doohan who is their F1 reserve driver and a member of their academy.
Alpine will allow 20-year-old Doohan to fulfill the requirement for teams to run a driver who has raced in no more than two Grands Prix in two practice sessions. The Australian will take charge of Pierre Gasly’s car during the session in Mexico before moving to the other end of the garage to run Esteban Ocon’s car in Abu Dhabi.
Doohan, who is currently fourth in the F2 Drivers’ standings, will pilot the A523 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and the Yas Marina Circuit to experience his first official F1 weekend this year. Last season, Doohan ran a similar program for the team following the Oscar Piastri contract controversy.
This season, he has also tested 2022’s A521 and assists the team with simulator work at their facility in Enstone.
“It is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car on a Grand Prix weekend for the second year in a row,” Doohan said. “I am very grateful to Alpine for the chance to drive the A523 in free practice in both Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
“I have been working really hard with the team this year as their reserve driver, taking every opportunity to learn as much as possible for them and I feel prepared to step up and take over driving duties for the team.
“My sole focus is doing what is required of me by the team in order to contribute positively to the team’s outcome across the two grand prix weekends.”
Doohan is engaged in Formula 2 as a Virtuosi Racing driver and has been a member of the Alpine academy since 2021 after previously being a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.
“It is great to announce that Jack will be taking over driving duties in Mexico and Abu Dhabi for the two free practice 1 sessions,” Alpine interim team principal Bruno Famin said.
“Jack has worked hard over the course of the year as Alpine’s reserve driver and his attitude to learn the ropes in that role has been very pleasing to see.
“His main priority remains finishing his Formula 2 campaign in the best possible way in Abu Dhabi, however, we look forward to supporting him in the two free practice sessions and having his contribution to the team’s performance.”
Doohan’s F2 performance this season have led to back-to-back race wins in Hungary and Belgium, as well as two other podium finishes.
