Jack Doohan and Mick Schumacher close to each other after their comparison at Paul Ricard

This week, the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet, France, hosted a test for the Alpine team. Jack Doohan and Mick Schumacher were seen at the wheel of the 2022 Alpine A522. This test follows the Previous Cars Testing program (TPC) that allows teams to use old single-seaters that comply with current aerodynamic rules.

Alpine, who is seeking to evaluate the performances of the two drivers for a potential replacement for Esteban Ocon in 2025, wants above all to be able to obtain a comparison in a real situation. Indeed, Jack Doohan is no longer racing in F2 and Mick Schumacher is no longer racing in F1 either. It is therefore difficult to know who handles the single-seater better once it is in their hands.

The interest of a “comparative” test

Alpine is currently reflecting on its future driver lineup. With Esteban Ocon’s departure already announced at the end of the season, the French team is looking for a replacement. Although the recruitment of Carlos Sainz remains a priority, Alpine is preparing a contingency plan while waiting for a decision from the Spanish driver. Therefore, Jack Doohan and Mick Schumacher are being considered for next season.

Jack Doohan has been Alpine’s reserve driver since 2023. He is also managed by Flavio Briatore, who has just joined, or re-joined, the team as an advisor. Without a race seat for this 2024 season, he appears as an ideal profile thanks to his performances in simulators and during free practice and test days. On the contrary, Mick Schumacher has already made his Formula 1 debut with the Haas team. With results not necessarily meeting the team’s expectations, he left Formula 1 at the end of 2022, but it is through his experience that he is considered a potential candidate. Since 2024, he is also involved in Endurance racing with Alpine and has had the opportunity to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, his previous participation in Formula 1 races prevents him from taking part in the test days reserved for rookies, thus giving an advantage to Jack Doohan.

Close results

During this test day at the Paul Ricard circuit, Doohan and Schumacher had the opportunity to show their skills in motorsport. Although the results of these tests are not yet public, the first rumors indicate that the two drivers have shown solid performances, even quite similar. This is what Julien Fébreau, commentator at Canal+, was able to share during the Formula 1 Free Practice session at Silverstone. “Honestly it was quite close, let’s say neck and neck, the times were similar both on short stints and on long stints. In any case, on long stints it was balanced between the two drivers,” he communicated.

It also seems that Mick Schumacher has managed to impress the team, which believes that the driver is much more capable than his results at Haas suggest. However, this does not appear to be enough to overshadow the team’s interest in Carlos Sainz.