Jack Doohan takes to the wheel of Alpine’s new 2025 challenger in Bahrain ahead of official F1 testing
The son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan has got behind the wheel of his new F1 car as things start to get serious for Jack Doohan ahead of his full-time debut.
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Australian son-of-a-gun Jack Doohan has taken to the wheel of Alpine’s new Formula 1 car for the first time on track in Bahrain as he counts down to his full-time F1 debut at Albert Park next month.
Ahead of official Formula 1 pre-season testing this week, Doohan and his French teammate Pierre Gasly took part in a shakedown at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Doohan and Gasly split the 200km restricted on-track program as part of what was officially a filming day for the team.
The 22-year-old son of former MotoGP legend Mick Doohan said the car had felt good and he was excited to launch into testing at the same circuit this week.
“We have had a really good first day on-track here in Bahrain and I am sure everyone at the team feels really excited to be back and ready now to start the season,” Doohan said.
“It is my first time driving a shakedown day, so a great experience, especially driving on track with the filming vehicles.
“The car felt good so thanks to everyone at Enstone and Viry-Chatillon for their time and dedication in getting ready for 2025.
“I know Pierre and I are really excited for Wednesday and beginning pre-season testing.
“It will be three busy days where we have many things to run through in order to develop the A525 ahead of the season start.”
Speaking at the F1 launch in London last week, Doohan last week dismissed suggestions there was pressure on his position even before the first race following the arrival of Argentine Franco Colapinto as reserve driver at Alpine.
There has been speculation about the Australian’s future since Colapinto joined the squad from Williams early in the new year.
“I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver,” Doohan said when he was asked about Colapinto’s arrival at the launch.
“I don’t think necessarily if it’s someone inside the team, outside the team, anyone that’s performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cutthroat sport.
“Whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that, embracing it, and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.”
Doohan has replaced Frenchman Esteban Ocon at Alpine, which finished sixth in the F1 constructors’ standings last year.
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes said the shakedown had been a successful first taste behind the wheel of the 2025 challenger for both drivers.
“It is always a moment of pride when a new car goes on track for the first time,” Oakes.
“We have had a good day’s running in Bahrain with 200 km completed split evenly between Pierre and Jack.
“It is important to give them a first go each and allow them both to have a first feeling at the wheel ahead of a busy three days of testing later this week.
“There are certainly multiple areas of interest for us to keep learning and progressing and we look forward to continuing the hard work beginning on Wednesday with Jack driving the morning and Pierre the afternoon.”
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Originally published as Jack Doohan takes to the wheel of Alpine’s new 2025 challenger in Bahrain ahead of official F1 testing
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