Doohan set for first F1 test with Alpine in Qatar
Alpine Academy driver Jack Doohan will have his first taste of Formula 1 machinery in Qatar on Sunday.
The FIA Formula 2 driver, who was the 2021 FIA Formula 3 runner-up, will take part in testing at the Losail International Circuit this weekend in the A521.
The Australian driver, whose father is motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, joined the F1 team’s academy in January ahead of his debut F2 season with Virtuosi Racing.
He joins 2021 F2 champion and Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri at the test, with his fellow Aussie having completed two days of testing on Wednesday and Thursday.
Piastri previously tested the F1 car in Austin in April, and will undergo a third test in Spielberg after the Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix.
Doohan said: “I’m super excited to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time.
“This is a moment that I’ve been building up to ever since I started racing karts, and I know these opportunities are extremely privileged.
“I’m very grateful to Alpine for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to giving it my best on the test day.
“I’ve watched behind the scenes at some private tests before and I’ve completed a lot of preparation in the loop simulator at Enstone, so I’m definitely feeling ready for this challenge.
“I’ll build myself up on the day, enjoy it at the same time and hopefully learn as much as possible alongside the team.”
Oscar Piastri, Alpine Academy
Photo by: Alpine
Doohan has had a difficult start to his maiden F2 season, having only scored six points in three rounds.
He took pole position at the season opener in Bahrain, but suffered damage after contact with championship leader Theo Pourchaire after his pitstop and was forced to stop again, finishing 10th.
He was set to line up third for the feature race in Saudi Arabia, but was excluded from qualifying after the team was unable to supply enough fuel from his car, forcing him to start at the back of the grid before fighting his way up to ninth place.
More bad luck followed in Imola, with a startline collision with 2021 F3 champion Dennis Hauger ending his race.
F2 returns next weekend in Barcelona in support of the Spanish Grand Prix from 20-22 May.
Share Or Save This Story
How an Alonso protege is shaping up to take F2 by storm
The key updates in F2’s bold new design
The star-studded graduates of Italy's junior series powerhouse
Jack Doohan reveals shocking death threats during Alpine F1 stint in "Drive to Survive"
Haas signs former F1 racer as reserve driver
Jack Doohan's Super Formula plans fall through at the last minute
The changing fortunes of F1's drivers with a point to prove
Mercedes pulls out of Alpine F1 share talks over asking price
From Benetton to Gucci: Is Briatore closing the circle at Enstone?
The rating Marc Marquez gives to his MotoGP return at Mugello
Raul Fernandez ruing missed opportunity at Italian GP after early error
Enzo Fittipaldi wins chaotic Indy NXT race on the streets of Detroit
Where Marco Bezzecchi ranks his ‘dream come true’ Italian GP win
Great Debate: What should the next F1 ruleset look like?
How Aston Martin is navigating its issues, as Honda plots ADUO updates
The changing fortunes of F1's drivers with a point to prove
F1 fans might well wish for simpler times, but no one wants armed race officials…
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments