Doohan has 'eyes on a race seat' as he targets spot on F1 grid in 2025

Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan has admitted he is targeting a spot on the F1 grid in 2025 with his “eyes on a race seat now”.

The 20-year-old competed in his second full F2 campaign in 2023 as he finished third in the championship, with three race wins and five podiums through the year. Doohan would also get a chance behind the wheel of Alpine’s F1 car as he participated in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix and at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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The Australian would also notch up 108 laps for Alpine at the young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi following the conclusion of the F1 season, as he looks to gain even more experience going forward.

For the first time in Formula 1 history, the grid for 2024 is exactly the same as the one that ended the previous year, with not one single driver change. However, with several drivers' contracts due to expire at the end of the season, it’s likely some teams will seek a refresh – and Doohan is keen to capitalise on that opportunity.

“My eyes are on a race seat now,” he said following the post-season young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi.

“I want to be on the grid in 2025. So, I’ll stay with [Alpine], keep working and making sure that when I’m in the car I’m performing – whenever that is, FP1s or testing – to give myself the best shot to get comfy in this [paddock] for a full season.”

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Sessions like the post-season test are immensely valuable in gaining that vital experience for young drivers, with Doohan explaining just what he was able to do with his time driving for Alpine in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s great to be able to explore everything the F1 car has to offer, to work through a whole run plan, run schedule, different test items,” he explained.

“Basically flipping the car upside down and also a mixed experience of compounds. It’s great to get 108 laps under my belt like I did, and also great for the team because I know we got some great work done.”

Doohan also has talented motorsport genes, with his dad Mick a bike racing legend in his own right, having won a staggering five consecutive 500cc World Championship titles in the 1990s.

Now he is fully invested in his son’s own motorsport journey but, when speaking to the Beyond The Grid podcast, Doohan Senior was under no illusions as to how tough it is to make the jump to F1.

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“The cliff is as steep as it could be at that point,” said the former bike racer. “Unless you've got some foot holes to climb to get to F1, but then you've only got 20 seats, and at any given point in time there may be one or two seats available.

“Then, with how fluid the paddock moves and the commercial aspect of it, you've got to be in the right spot at the right time with the right deal in place. It's forever moving.

“It's [Jack's] dream to make it all the way to the top. If I can help in any way, shape or form, then I'll try and do that. That's why I'm at most of the races when he attends.”