Formula 1 2024: Son-of-a-gun Jack Doohan the latest Aussie to join the F1 grid
Australia could be in for a triple-treat in Formula 1 next year after an Aussie son-of-a-gun’s promotion to a full-time seat on the grid in 2025 was confirmed.
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Australia will have another driver on the Formula 1 grid next year after son-of-a-gun Jack Doohan’s Alpine promotion was sealed in an emotional moment with his famous dad.
The son of legendary five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, 21-year-old Doohan will complete Alpine’s driver line-up for 2025 alongside Frenchman Pierre Gasly.
Alpine confirmed Doohan’s elevation from reserve driver to a full-time F1 seat on Friday night ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, hailing his “raw talent and potential”.
Doohan is already counting down to making his F1 debut in front of his home crowd at next year’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in what could be a triple-treat for Australia.
Doohan’s Alpine contract means Australia could have as many as three drivers on the F1 grid in 2025 alongside rising star Oscar Piastri - on a long-term deal at McLaren - and eight-time grand prix winner Daniel Ricciardo, who is fighting to secure his future beyond this year in the second half of the season.
Doohan replaces Esteban Ocon at Alpine with the Frenchman set to join Haas next year.
The young gun was with his famous father Mick when he signed his contract with Alpine after a tyre test at Spa and said it had been an emotional moment for the both of them.
“It’s something that has taken a long time to sink in,” Doohan said.
“There have been so many times where I felt like I have been so close and I just couldn’t believe it until it was almost announced … and could not be taken back.
“He (Mick Doohan) was emotional and very happy, but also knew what lies ahead
“It is another stepping stone, another milestone. It is something that not only me, but he has dedicated the whole second part of his life to, investing and sacrificing to getting me to this moment.
“It’s an amazing feeling for him, but also myself that all this hard work has paid off, but very quickly knowing that the real hard work and the real dedication starts now.”
Doohan has been waiting in the wings for an F1 seat, serving as Alpine’s reserve driver for the past two years after joining the Alpine Academy in 2022.
He had been a part of the Red Bull Junior Team before that.
Doohan has proven his talent climbing the step-ladder to F1, finishing runner-up in F3 in 2021 and then third in his final season in F2 in 2023.
He became the first driver in F2 history to take pole position, race win, fastest lap, and lead every lap of a feature race at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. Across two seasons in F2, he had six wins, five pole positions and another five podium finishes.
Doohan said he felt a sense of pride in joining the select group of Australians to have made it to F1.
“There is a lot of pride, a lot of joy ... regardless of Australia, it is a very exclusive club (in F1) of only those 20 seats and for this year there was no driver change at all,” Doohan said.
“So it is something that is very difficult to get to and I am just very happy regardless of what plays out, but at least I can make my dream come true.”
Speaking to Australian media from Europe, Doohan said he was already thinking about how “cool” it would be to make his F1 debut in Melbourne - and he hoped he would be sharing the grid with two fellow Aussies next year.
“It would be awesome to have three Aussies on the grid next year, awesome to already have two confirmed,” Doohan said.
“I have known them both for a long time, Oscar since I was in karting and Daniel in more recent years.
“It will be a pleasure to be racing on the grid with them both.”
While he has motorsport in his blood, Doohan opted for a racing career path on four wheels instead of two like his famous dad after a childhood biking accident.
“From a young age I always liked two wheels, but when I was five I had a crash at home on my fifth birthday and broke my leg,” Doohan said previously.
“I think that threw dad off it a bit seeing me get hurt at such a young age and also I think I scared myself quite a bit.”
Despite growing up with a famous last name in motorsport, Doohan said he did not feel any extra pressure as he prepared to embark on his F1 career.
“To be honest, I don’t think there is a target (on me) or pressure at all,” Doohan said.
“It’s something that I became very familiar with early days in karting or racing and in the single seaters.
“But I think very quickly found out that my dad’s last name could only get me so far and I think if it was on two wheels then for sure there would be some sort of expectation.”
For now, Doohan is keeping his goals for his debut F1 season in check.
“I am just letting this sink in and my first goals aren’t even round one yet, it is to make sure I embed myself well with all the team as a driver,” he said.
“Obviously, I have been a part of the team for many years now, but making sure that I get everyone wrapped around with me and the way I like to go racing and making sure that works well the the chemistry that Pierre has got so that we can make the best working environment going forward for next year.”
The young Aussie will become the first Alpine Academy prospect to graduate to a full-time race seat with the team.
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes said Doohan boasted “raw talent and potential”.
“We are very excited to promote Jack into the race seat from next season and, in doing so, giving him the opportunity to showcase his skill and talent in Formula 1,” Oakes said.
“Personally, I have worked with Jack back in 2019 and I am fully aware of his raw talent and potential. He is a very hard worker behind the scenes and his commitment is hugely valued by the entire team.
“Alongside Pierre, we have a well-balanced driver line-up with a good combination between youthful energy, experience, and pure speed. We look forward to working with both Jack and Pierre in order to keep developing the car and bring the team up the grid.”
Doohan will continue in his role as the team’s reserve driver for the rest of the Formula 1 season - taking part in testing and simulator work.
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