Australian Jack Doohan, son of legendary motorcycle racer Mick Doohan, has secured a full-time driving seat for the Alpine Formula One team.
Doohan will make his F1 debut at next year’s season-opening Melbourne Grand Prix, joining fellow Australians Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo on the grid.
Doohan replaces Esteban Ocon, who will move to Haas next season, in an Apline seat.
Doohan, 21, has been Alpine’s reserve driver for the past two years after compatriot Piastri left the French team and joined McLaren.
“It’s an exciting time, a proud day for my family and I’m looking forward to experiencing it all and trying my best behind the scenes,” Doohan said in a statement released by Alpine on Friday.
‘I am very grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the team’s senior management.
“There is a lot of work ahead to be prepared and ready and in the meantime, I will do my best to absorb as much information and knowledge as possible to be ready for the next step.”
Doohan, whose father Mick is a five-time 500cc world champion, forged a successful career in Formula 3 and Formula 2 before becoming Alpine’s permanent reserve driver and impressing team principal Oliver Oakes.
Australian Jack Doohan, son of legendary motorcycle racer Mick Doohan, has secured a full-time driving seat for the Alpine Formula One team.
Jack Doohan and his girlfriend Ebony Zippora Gold
“We’re very excited to promote Jack to the race seat starting next season,” Oakes said.
‘I personally worked with Jack in 2019 and am fully aware of his talent and potential.
“He is a hard worker behind the scenes and his commitment is greatly appreciated by the entire team.”
Doohan joins Pierre Gasly as Alpine drivers for the upcoming F1 season, which begins at Albert Park on March 14-16.
The emerging Australian talent was runner-up in the 2021 F3 championship and finished third in the F2 standings last year, when he took six wins and five pole positions.
Doohan will remain as Alpine’s reserve driver for the remainder of the F1 season, which continues this weekend in the Netherlands.