Homegrown Alpine F1 talent Jack Doohan is reportedly in the running to replace Esteban Ocon at the French outfit in 2025.
Ocon and Alpine announced on Monday that they would go their separate ways at the end of the current season, which opens a prime opportunity for Doohan to make his F1 debut.
According to F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto, the 21-year-old son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan
Is considered as a "serious contender" to fill Ocon’s vacant seat in 2025.
The young Aussie, whose credentials include a third-place finish in last year’s FIA Formula 2 Championship, is currently undergoing a development programme that has seen him take to the track in Barcelona and at more recently at Zandvoort under F1’s ‘Testing previous Car’ regulations.
In Spain, Doohan was at the wheel of Alpine’s 2021-spec A521 but in Holland he was entrusted with the team’s first ground-effect car, the A522.
“The Enstone-squad rate him highly, he’s a fast and popular member of the team, and Alpine are keen to prove their Driver Academy provides a genuine path all the way to the top,” Barretto wrote.
As Alpine F1’s official reserve driver, Doohan’s role extends to simulator work with the team, an important responsibility given the outfit’s troubled 2024 campaign.
Pierre Gasly, whose contract with Alpine expires at the end of the season, has yet to clarify his plans for 2024, but it’s likely the 2020 Italian Grand Prix winner will remain at Enstone.
In addition to Doohan, Valtteri Bottas is also seen as possible recruit for the Frenc team, as is Mick Schumacher who races for Alpine’s Hypercar team in the WEC.
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