Alpine’s Doohan in action in FP1 at Silverstone

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Alpine F1 reserve Jack Doohan will be back behind the wheel at this week's British Grand Prix where the Aussie will take over Pierre Gasly’s A524 in Friday’s opening practice session.

As a reminder, F1 regulations mandate that each team run a young driver in at least two practice sessions during the season.

Doohan will be hoping for better weather at Silverstone after his first FP1 with Alpine in Canada last month was washed out by rain to the point where he managed only four laps in all in the session.

Alpine still has a vacant seat for next season following the departure of Esteban Ocon.

While the French outfit has reportedly entered a late bid to secure the services of Carlos Sainz, Alpine team principal Bruno Famin has said that Doohan is definitely in the running for the a drive in 2025.

Read also: Williams hands Colapinto FP1 outing at Silverstone

Doohan is also in the midst of a comprehensive testing programme with Alpine’s 2022 ground effect car as part of his preparations for a potential promotion to F1 in 2025.

The 21-year-old’s unwavering dedication to securing a full-time F1 seat is undeniable.

On Friday, Doohan will be joined by two other young drivers in opening practice: Ferrari Driver Academy member and Haas reserve Ollie Bearman and Williams development driver Franco Colapinto.

Earlier this year at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Bearman was drafted in by Ferrari at the last hour to replace an ill Carlos Sainz. The 19-year-old rookie went on to finish an impressive seventh with the Scuderia on his F1 debut.

The Briton is expected to graduate to Frmula 1 with Haas next season.

Like Bearman, Colapinto, who hails from Argentina, currently competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with MP Motorsport.

The 21-year-old first drove an F1 car at last year’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi, running with Williams. But his presence in FP1 this Friday will mark his official debut in F1.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.