Alpine has elected to promote its Reserve Driver Jack Doohan to a full-time drive for the 2025 Formula 1 season, per a Friday announcement by the Anglo-French outfit.
With Esteban Ocon’s departure from the Enstone-Viry squad confirmed in June, Alpine made a bid to sign Carlos Sainz to race alongside Pierre Galsy in 2025.
With Sainz choosing Williams as his next team last month, Alpine turned its attention inward.
Doohan, a long-serving member of the Alpine Academy Programme was named alongside the team’s FIA World Endurance Championship driver Mick Schumacher as a potential suitor for the seat and the Australian has ultimately won out.
“I am so happy to secure promotion into a full-time race seat in 2025 with BWT Alpine F1 Team,” Doohan said.
“I am very grateful for the trust and belief by the team’s senior management.
“There is so much work ahead to be prepared and ready and I will give my best in the meantime to absorb as much information and knowledge to be ready for the step up.
“It’s exceptionally satisfying to be the first graduate of the Alpine Academy to be in a race seat with the team and I’m extremely thankful to those who supported me along the way to make this a reality.
“It’s an exciting moment, a proud day for my family, and I look forward to taking it all in and pushing hard behind the scenes.”
Doohan has been without a full-time race seat in 2024, instead participating as a Reserve Driver and he has so far conducted multiple tests and practice sessions for Alpine this year.
In 2023, Doohan finished third in the FIA Formula 2 Drivers’ standings with three race wins to his name and he now becomes the first member of the Alpine Academy to graduate to F1 with the team itself.
”We are very excited to promote Jack into the race seat from next season and, in doing so, giving him the opportunity to showcase his skill and talent in Formula 1,” said Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes.
“Jack will become the first driver to graduate from the Alpine Academy into a race driver position with the team, so that is exceptionally pleasing for the team and its young driver pathway.
“Personally, I have worked with Jack back in 2019 and I am fully aware of his raw talent and potential.
“He is a very hard worker behind the scenes and his commitment is hugely valued by the entire team.
“Alongside Pierre, we have a well-balanced driver line-up with a good combination between youthful energy, experience, and pure speed.
“We look forward to working with both Jack and Pierre in order to keep developing the car and bring the team up the grid.”
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