Australian Jack Doohan, son of legendary motorcycle racer Mick Doohan, has secured a permanent position as a driver with Formula 1 team Alpine.
Doohan will make his Formula 1 debut at the season-opening Grand Prix in Melbourne next year, joining fellow Australians Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo on the starting grid.
Doohan replaces Esteban Ocon, who moves to Haas next season, in a seat at the Alpine club.
The 21-year-old Doohan has been Alpine’s reserve driver for the past two years after compatriot Piastri left the French team for McLaren.
“It’s an exciting moment, a proud day for my family, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it all and working hard behind the scenes,” Doohan said in a statement released by Alpine on Friday.
‘I am very grateful for the trust and belief of the team’s senior management.
“There is still so much work to be done to be prepared and ready. In the meantime, I will do my best to gain as much information and knowledge as possible so that I am ready for the next step.”
Doohan, whose father Mick is a five-time world champion in 500cc motorcycle racing, had a successful career in Formula 3 and Formula 2 before becoming a regular reserve driver at Alpine and impressing team boss Oliver Oakes.
Australian Jack Doohan, son of legendary motorcycle racer Mick Doohan, has claimed a permanent driver’s seat for Formula 1 team Alpine
Jack Doohan and his girlfriend Ebony Zippora Gold
“We are very excited to promote Jack to the race seat from next season,” said Oakes.
‘I personally worked with Jack in 2019 and I am fully aware of his raw talent and potential.
“He is an incredibly hard worker behind the scenes and his efforts are greatly appreciated by the entire team.”
Doohan joins Pierre Gasly as Alpine driver for the next F1 season, which starts at Albert Park from March 14-16.
The rising Australian talent finished second 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 Alpine’s reserve driver for the remainder of the Formula 1 season, which continues this weekend in the Netherlands.
