Alpine have announced that Jack Doohan will drive for the team in FP1 at 2023 Mexico and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
Doohan previously ran in FP1 at both events for Alpine last season and will once again do so as their rookie driver, in order to meet F1 rules stating that teams must run a rookie driver in place of each regular driver at a minimum of one event across each season.
Alpine have confirmed that Doohan will compete in Pierre Gasly’s car in Mexico on 27 October, before he hops into Esteban Ocon’s Alpine in Abu Dhabi on 24 November – amidst his F2 duties that latter weekend in the season finale of both categories.
Speaking about his latest chance to take part in a F1 weekend, Doohan commented: “It is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car on a Grand Prix weekend for the second year in a row.
“I am very grateful to BWT Alpine F1 Team for the chance to drive the A523 in Free Practice in both Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
“I have been working really hard with the team this year as their Reserve Driver, taking every opportunity to learn as much as possible for them and I feel prepared to step up and take over driving duties for the team.
“My sole focus is doing what is required of me by the team in order to contribute positively to the team’s outcome across the two Grand Prix weekends.”
Interim Team Principal, Bruno Famin added that it feels “great” to hand Doohan more FP1 sessions as he praised the Australian’s attitude, as he said: “Jack has worked hard over the course of the year as BWT Alpine F1 Team’s Reserve Driver and his attitude to learn the ropes in that role has been very pleasing to see.”
Famin however iterated that Doohan’s priority must be on finishing in the top three of the F2 season,, as he continued: “His main priority remains finishing his Formula 2 campaign in the best possible way in Abu Dhabi, however, we look forward to supporting him in the two Free Practice sessions and having his contribution to the team’s performance.”
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