Jack Doohan hails his decision to join Alpine's junior academy as "the best of my career" as it positions him for a potential entry into F1 in 2024.
Doohan was initially signed to Red Bull's junior programme in 2017, but the 19-year-old Aussie left the latter at the end of last year and crossed over to Alpine, a move done in parallel with his graduation to the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Virtuosi Racing.
His campaign in the feeder series in 2022 yielded three wins and six podiums, a track record that encouraged Alpine to accelerate the development of its junior driver by entrusting him with a pair of FP1 outings with the Enstone squad in Mexico City and in Abu Dhabi.
"I would no way be in this position of having two FP1s or driving an F1 car if I stayed where I was," said Doohan who admittedly also profited from Oscar Piastri's exit from Alpine.
"I feel very invested into the team, they’ve treated me very well, and taught me a lot.
"I’m happy with my decision as I think it’s the best of my career so far; I was quite close to an F1 seat for next year, which is quite amazing."
However, the son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan is keeping his expectations regarding his potential F1 future in check, as his main focus for next season is on his commitment to Formula 2.
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But when Doohan lets himself go to projecting a future in F1, then Alpine is where he wants to be.
"I could come around to all the F1 races, and be there, and sit there, but the likelihood of hopping in the car is low, so it would be taking a bit of time off my F2 commitments," he explained.
"I can fully focus on that [F2], and extract everything I can for the team, to hopefully be in a full-time driving role for 2024, or whether that be 2025.
"I have confidence and a lot of trust in Alpine that firstly I have to win the championship, which if it goes to plan I’m confident we can do, and then if I do have to sit out and wait a year I’d be fine with that as I’d be more than happy to wait for an Alpine seat and continue to grow with them.
"If there’s a possibility to be loaned out [in 2024] then amazing, but that is in the future and that is to be decided. That will hopefully take care of itself if you win and make the results happen."
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