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Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin is preparing Reserve driver Jack Doohan for a 2025 F1 seat.
Alpine secured a double-points finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, but animosity continued between teammates Ocon and Gasly (Image Credit: @AlpineF1Team on X)Doohan, who last competed in a racing series during the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship, has been touted as a possible replacement for the outgoing Esteban Ocon at Alpine.
The latter will be out of contract at the end of the 2024 campaign after spending five years at the Enstone and Viry-based outfit. Many speculate that souring relations with management as well as teammate Pierre Gasly may have played a part in the Frenchman’s departure.
Alpine boss Famin threatened “consequences” for a first-lap collision between Ocon and Gasly at the recent Monaco Grand Prix, after which the announcement was made. Ocon continued to anger his team at the next Grand Prix in Canada, failing to conceal his discontent at a late position swap with Gasly which yielded no further points for Alpine.
Doohan replaced Ocon in the first practice session around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, prompting rumours that the young Australian could take over the second seat at the French outfit.
Now Famin has all but confirmed that Doohan is in prime position to make his debut as a full-time F1 driver in the near future.
He has been testing for a long time
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Famin revealed that Doohan is a likely candidate for Alpine in 2025. He said: “He’s an option for sure. Jack [Doohan] is an option.
“We are preparing him, he has been testing for a long time. He has quite a heavy testing programme and we’re happy with that, and let’s see how he develops.
“He is one possibility, among others, but he is a possibility for sure,” concluded the Team Principal.
Doohan, who wasn’t able to complete a full testing programme during FP1 in Canada due to changeable weather conditions, said of his chance to get into F1: “It’s difficult to say in Formula 1 that anything is for certain.
“My dream is to be on the grid, my dream is to be in Formula 1. I’m with the team as Reserve driver preparing myself to be in the car. That is where I want to be.
“Every time I get to do that, whether it is the sim or on track, experiencing myself in marketing, with comms, I’m trying to position myself to get that opportunity,” stated the 21-year-old.
Doohan will have another chance to prove himself in a free practice session with Alpine, though it is still unsure when he will next drive the A524.
Feature Image Credit: @AlpineF1Team on X