Leaving Formula 2, Jack Doohan says he is “ready to drive in Formula 1”
After finishing in third place in F2 this year and having driven in free practice sessions during the Mexico and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Jack Doohan says he is "more than ready" if he were to make it to F1.
Jack Doohan finished third in the F2 championship, in his third season in the category. After finishing 19th in 2021 and then 6th in 2022, the 20-year-old Australian driver now has enough points to obtain his super license.
The driver supported by the Alpine Academy will not be staying for a fourth season in the Formula 1 feeder series and has announced his departure from the Virtuosi Racing team. He has already been able to drive the A523 during the first free practice session in Abu Dhabi.
« For the moment, I have the impression of being quite close to the two main drivers on a fast lap. We have already shown it during the first free practice session. I was just over a tenth behind Pierre Gasly in both of our runs on soft tires. I think that for me, it’s now about extracting that last half a tenth. Whether it’s working with the tire guys or the aerodynamics guys, I’m just trying to maximize the little things, especially tire management », praises Jack Doohan.
« It’s different from what I know from Formula 2. I’m still in shock from the first time I left the pit. But you quickly get used to the speed. And now, my main goal is to leave Formula 2 behind me and make it my workspace, my new foundation,” highlights the Australian.
What future for Doohan?
The future of the 20-year-old driver remains uncertain. However, he will not be driving in F1 next season, as Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are under contract with the French team until 2024. The former AlphaTauri driver also has an additional year option in his contract.
« At the moment, I don’t have any planned races. I’ve had quite a few opportunities outside of Formula 1, whether it’s in Super Formula, IndyCar, or Hypercar. I’ve been very lucky to have these opportunities. But at this stage, I think it’s crucial to focus exclusively on Formula 1. The team hasn’t made any announcements yet, so I don’t want to anticipate anything. But we will be spending a lot of time with the team in the car. It’s great to know that I have it. It will be more than this year, which is fantastic. Being able to spend this time in a Formula 1 car, being on track and working in the simulator will put me in the best possible position to secure a Formula 1 seat for 2025 », rejoices the Alpine reserve driver.
« Last year, I was quite new to Formula 1 and to the whole circus, so it was more of a normal rookie test at the time. This time, it was about real testing elements. It was very tough and intense. I don’t think I did my first fast individual lap until 45 minutes before the end of the day. So it was mainly about 7 to 10 laps. It was great that they trusted me to do it and also to work with the team in this way. It’s the first time I do this kind of testing and track events instead of in the simulator, » concluded Jack Doohan.
