Alpine have confirmed that reserve driver Jack Doohan will drive for its Formula 1 team in FP1 at both the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
Every team on the F1 grid is mandated by the sporting regulations to grant a rookie driver – defined as a competitor with two or fewer grand prix starts – an FP1 session twice during a year.
Doohan will drive the A523 in place of Pierre Gasly in FP1 next weekend in Mexico before taking over Esteban Ocon’s car for the opening practice hour at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Australian, son of motorcycle champion Mick Doohan, previously had practice outings for the Enstone squad last season at the same venues.
He has also extensively tested Alpine’s 2021 challenger, the A521, since being signed to the Alpine Academy ranks in 2022.
Doohan is currently competing in the Formula 2 championship, where he has picked up two wins to sit fourth in the standings with a single round remaining.
“It is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car on a Grand Prix weekend for the second year in a row,” Doohan said.
“I am very grateful to BWT Alpine F1 Team for the chance to drive the A523 in Free Practice in both Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
“I have been working really hard with the team this year as their Reserve Driver, taking every opportunity to learn as much as possible for them and I feel prepared to step up and take over driving duties for the team.
“My sole focus is doing what is required of me by the team in order to contribute positively to the team’s outcome across the two Grand Prix weekends.”
