Szafnaeur wants Doohan to win the F2 this season
After a successful first full season in Formula 2, Alpine academy driver Jack Doohan will aim to win the F2 championship this season if he wants to continue his ascent towards Formula 1.
After joining the Alpine program last year, 2023 will be a decisive year for the young driver Jack Doohan. With a spot on the Virtuosi Racing team in Formula 2, he will have to confirm his strong performance from last season, during which he achieved three pole positions and as many victories, finishing in sixth place in the F2 championship.
A satisfactory result for the French team, which translated into valuable practice sessions with the A522 car during the Mexico and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, followed by further testing during the post-season tests.
For Alpine team director Otmar Szafnauer, there is no doubt that the 19-year-old Australian is a very good aspiring driver, and he sets the goal of winning the F2 title this year.
“Next year, he will be back in Formula 2,” Szafnauer said. “He will be part of the Alpine family in the future, but his goal for next year will be to win the [Formula 2] championship. He is really very good. He is very professional for a young man, and he works hard, he prepares well. He drives for himself… He really has great potential.”
After the departure of Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri to McLaren, Szafnauer responds to the prospect of seeing Jack Doohan take on this position. « I haven’t thought about it yet, but he will certainly have a role within the team. As for this role, we haven’t decided yet. »
Jack Doohan wants to enter Formula 1 in 2024 or 2025.
After these first laps in the Alpine, Mick Doohan’s son – former 500cc motorcycle world champion – indicates that he wants to focus on the F2 championship rather than thinking about a reserve driver position. « I could come to all the F1 races, but the likelihood of jumping into the car is low. So, it would encroach on my commitments in F2. »
« I want to fully focus on F2 and extract everything I can for the team, hoping to be a full-time driver [in F1] in 2024 or 2025, specifies Doohan. « I have confidence, and I have a lot of trust in Alpine, but I must first win the [F2] championship. And if everything goes as planned, I am convinced that I can do it. Then, if I have to sit and wait for a year, I will be okay with that because I will be more than happy to wait for an Alpine seat and continue growing with them. »
« If there is a possibility of being there [in 2024], it would be fantastic, but all of this is in the future and still remains to be decided. »
