Villeneuve wants Doohan as a starting driver at Alpine
After Alonso's departure to Aston Martin and Piastri's non-signing, several contenders are being considered at Alpine. Among them, young Formula 2 driver and Alpine academy member Doohan has received praise from former world champion Jacques Villeneuve.
The search for Alonso’s replacement is still ongoing at Alpine and several names are coming up. Pierre Gasly was the main driver that the team wanted, but recently Nyck de Vries and Jack Doohan have entered the race as favorites.
The two drivers will be testing in Hungary behind the wheel of a 2021 Alpine. These tests will determine each one’s abilities and thus determine which driver is better equipped to perform in Formula 1.
If Nyck de Vries is the favorite with his 9th place and his first points scored in his first Grand Prix in Italy, Jack Doohan is not far behind. The Formula 2 driver is currently 5th in the championship and can still hope to finish on the podium. He recently received praise from Jacques Villeneuve, who seems to be won over by his counterpart.
« Why not give Doohan a chance? Instead of spending a year preparing him like they did with Piastri, Alpine should throw him straight into the deep end and see how he performs. »
He hopes that the young Australian will be a regular driver next year with Alpine, considering him ready for Formula 1, as he has been immersed in motorsports throughout his youth thanks to his father, Michael Doohan, former Moto GP champion.
Doohan has a good experience in motor sports. Like Carlos Sainz Jr before him, he has been immersed in it since a very young age thanks to his father and can benefit from his advice. He truly has the right mindset to be at the highest level and not crack under pressure.
Jacques Villeneuve is not the only one to compliment him, as Alpine’s boss Laurent Rossi confirmed Doohan’s presence on Alpine’s shortlist while complimenting him.
We believe in him, he has shown a lot of potential, especially recently. He is in the right place at the right time. He is a great person, he is fast, his father is also a champion that I admire and a person that I admire. They are exceptional guys. Jack is in our plans.
« In one way or another, we will try to fit him into one of our cars at some point.
» In one way or another, we will try to fit him into one of our cars at some point.
Jack Doohan will have the opportunity to show himself and will undoubtedly be part of the team, whether as a starter or as a reserve. He will have one Grand Prix left while waiting to find out where he will be next year.
