Jack Doohan revealed Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore is “not adding external pressure” to his Formula 1 debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Doohan has been drafted in to make his full GP debut at the Yas Marina Circuit after Alpine cut ties one race early with Esteban Ocon.
The move gives Doohan a chance to impress before making his full-season debut alongside Pierre Gasly in 2025.
With rumours Alpine was chasing Franco Colapinto’s signature for 2025 and the team being locked in a fight for sixth in the Constructors’ standings, one could be forgiven for thinking a taskmaster like Briatore is heaping pressure upon Doohan.
That’s not the case as the Australian explained to select media including Motorsport Week on Thursday.
“We’ve been speaking today and he’s not adding any external pressure at all,” he said.
“He wants me to finish the race, and learn as much as possible ahead of next year.
“We have a long season next year, which will be important for our future.
“He’s just really trying to make me welcome the whole weekend, take it step by step.
“It will also be great for me to experience an actual race situation.”
F1 debut ‘started to feel real in FP2,’ says Doohan
Doohan’s Abu Dhabi appearance comes at the end of his year on the sidelines as Alpine’s Reserve Driver.
That has meant the Australian hasn’t been in a racing environment, with his preparation for this weekend being a programme of simulator miles and testing the two-year-old A522 as part of F1’s TPC (Testing of Previous Car) regulations.
Blowing off the cobwebs at the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, Doohan went up against a grid of full-time drivers with 23 races under their belts in this year’s cars.
The Australian finished 19th in both sessions, cutting his deficit to the top by half a second from FP1 to FP2.
“[It was] new territory in FP2, so started to feel real when I was driving in a session that I haven’t done before,” Doohan said on Friday.
“But yeah, you know, great day. Just progression throughout the whole day, taking steps forward, just getting closer and closer.
“So yeah, just really happy, you know, and thankful to the whole team for today’s work.
“I’m just trying to get it closer and closer to where I want to be.
“I have time before qualifying [on Saturday] so I’m just taking steps forward and each time I’m in the car, each lap.
“I look forward to keeping that progression for [qualifying day].”
READ MORE – Jack Doohan to replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine at Abu Dhabi GP
