Doohan looks back on his "strange" test with Schumacher at Alpine

Friends in life, Jack Doohan and Mick Schumacher shared the track at the Paul Ricard circuit in early July during a test organized by Alpine. An “strange” session for the Australian, who will race for the French team in F1 next year.

Recently promoted by Alpine F1 Team as an F1 driver for the 2025 season, Jack Doohan had to fight to secure his seat. Between various tests and participation in Free Practices with the French team, the Australian also took part in a test last July alongside Mick Schumacher. Linked by friendship in life, through that of their fathers, Mick (former world motorcycle champion) and Michael, the two drivers engaged in a duel that the future replacement for Ocon described as strange.

« It was strange,” Doohan said. « For my part, I kept my business sense. I didn’t think about anything else than: […] I’ll just get in the car and drive as fast as possible. No matter who’s next to me. That doesn’t mean I’ll be different outside the car. But when I get into the car, I have the mindset to be as fast as possible.”

Still struggling at the time to secure a spot as regular drivers for Alpine, the two drivers delivered similar performances behind the wheel of the 2022 A522. While Mick Schumacher is committed to the French team in Endurance this year, Jack Doohan is not participating in any competition, serving as a test driver for the French F1 team. A long wait that eventually paid off for the 21-year-old who will therefore make his debut in the top competition after finishing second in the F3 championship in 2021 and third in F2 in 2023.

After the first quarter of the year, I knew there was… let’s say, a rabbit to chase, a possibility that I could fight for it (it), commented Doohan. I am grateful that patience paid off, just as not rushing did, as it is a risk. But potentially, if I had not taken that risk, it would not have happened. Before being able to dive into the deep end, he will continue in 2024 as a test pilot.

The X factor (Flavio Briatore)

Flavio Briatore returned to Enstone having initially been hired as an executive advisor by the President of the Renault group, Luca de Meo. Lucky for Jack Doohan, his manager is none other than the former Italian director of Renault F1 and Benetton, Flavio Briatore. There is no doubt that the situation undoubtedly helped promote the Australian into the ranks of F1 drivers.