Jack Doohan

Jack Doohan’s ascent to Formula 1 marks the continuation of a prestigious Australian racing legacy, though he has carved his own path on four wheels rather than two. The son of five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, Jack’s trajectory through the junior categories was defined by a pivotal shift from the Red Bull Junior Team to the Alpine Academy, a move that ultimately secured his future in the pinnacle of motorsport. After finishing as runner-up in the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship, Doohan transitioned to Formula 2, where he established himself as one of the grid’s most formidable qualifiers.

His 2023 campaign in Formula 2 was particularly instrumental in his promotion. Despite a difficult start to the season plagued by technical inconsistencies, Doohan demonstrated remarkable resilience, securing three feature race victories and finishing third in the drivers' standings. This performance, combined with his extensive work as Alpine’s reserve and simulator driver, led to his transition to a full-time race seat, carrying the permanent number 7 for his 2024 debut.

Career to date

Doohan’s early career was spent under the scrutiny of the Red Bull program, where he developed a reputation for aggressive race craft and high ceiling potential. However, it was his move to the Alpine Academy in 2022 that provided the stability needed to refine his technical skills and professional maturity. His 2021 Formula 3 season remains a highlight of his junior career, where he pushed for the title until the final round, demonstrating a particular affinity for challenging conditions and high-speed circuits. Upon graduating to Formula 2, Doohan became a consistent pole-position threat, frequently outqualifying more experienced rivals. His integration into the Alpine F1 team was gradual but thorough, involving numerous Free Practice 1 outings and thousands of kilometers in Previous Car Testing (TPC) programs, ensuring he was prepared for the physical and mental demands of a full Grand Prix season.

Driving style

Doohan is characterized by his exceptional single-lap pace and a highly analytical approach to car setup. He is known for a "nose-heavy" driving preference, favoring a sharp turn-in and high front-end sensitivity, which allows him to carry significant speed into apexes. His feedback is frequently cited by engineers as being mature beyond his years, a trait developed through extensive simulator correlation work at Enstone. In race trim, he has evolved from a high-risk attacker into a more calculated operator, focusing on tire management and strategic positioning. This blend of raw speed and technical diligence makes him a modern archetype of the academy-trained driver.

Signature moments

The 2021 Formula 3 weekend at Spa-Francorchamps stands as a definitive display of Doohan’s talent, where he mastered torrential rain to take two victories in a single weekend, showcasing superior car control. In Formula 2, his performance at the 2023 season finale in Abu Dhabi was a masterclass in pressure management; he secured pole position and a dominant Feature Race win to clinch third in the standings. These moments underscored his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest, a quality that Alpine valued when selecting him to represent the brand on the global stage.

What to watch

As he navigates his debut season in 2024, the primary focus will be Doohan’s ability to extract performance from Alpine’s machinery under the intense pressure of the mid-field battle. Observers will be looking for how his qualifying prowess translates to the F1 format and how he compares against his experienced teammate, Pierre Gasly. His development in managing the complex energy recovery systems and Pirelli tire compounds over a full race distance will be the key metric for his rookie campaign. His progress will be a testament to the efficacy of the Alpine Academy system.