Jack Doohan is set to make his Formula 1 debut in 2025. After a long wait, the Australian will finally get his chance to race for Alpine next season. Before inheriting Esteban Ocon’s seat, Doohan had to compete against his good friend Mick Schumacher during a special test day at Circuit Paul Ricard. In a conversation with Formula1.com, he shares insights about this intense ‘shoot-out’.
“It was strange,” Jack Doohan immediately admitted. The 21-year-old driver is good friends with Mick Schumacher, the former Formula 1 driver who now competes in the WEC championship. However, in July, the two found themselves in direct competition during a special test day with Alpine. The goal of this shoot-out? To determine who would advance to the premier class.
‘I Made a Good Impression’
“For me, it was purely business,” Doohan explained. “In the end, I just had to get in the car and drive as fast as possible. It really doesn’t matter who I’m up against. Off the track, it might be different, but once I’m in the car, I just want to be the fastest. I think I made a good impression,” said Doohan, without commenting on his relationship with Schumacher.
The son of multiple motor champion Mick Doohan realized this year that he had a chance at a spot in Formula 1. “After the first quarter, I knew there were opportunities,” he said. “I didn’t know exactly what I needed to do – there were clearly so many drivers looking for a contract. I just had to wait patiently and present myself as well as possible. Fortunately, it paid off!”
