Jack Doohan secures an F1 seat at Alpine with Pierre Gasly

On a hot Friday at Hard Rock Stadium before the Miami Grand Prix, I left the hospitality area of ​​Alpine after lunch with reserve driver Jack Doohan. What was my only thought after this meeting?

Doohan would have become a full-time driver in Formula 1 sooner or later.

Sooner has arrived.

Alpine has put an end to weeks of speculation by confirming this morning ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix that Doohan will drive alongside Pierre Gasly next season; the Australian driver has signed a “multi-year” contract with the team.

The team began announcing early Friday morning, starting with this short video in which Gasly sneaks into an office in Alpine’s hospitality area and asks an Amazon device who would be his teammate next year. (For those who read this article on Apple News You (you can see the article here):

The official announcement came shortly thereafter.

Oliver Oakes, who makes his debut as new team principal this week, praised Doohan’s commitment to the team. “We are delighted to promote Jack to the race seat from next season and give him the opportunity to showcase his skills and talent in Formula 1. Jack will be the first driver to progress from the Alpine Academy to a racing position in the team, which is extremely pleasing for the team and its young driver curriculum,” said Oakes. “Personally, I worked with Jack in 2019 and am fully aware of his talent and potential. He works very hard behind the scenes and his commitment is greatly appreciated by the whole team. Alongside Pierre, we have a balanced driver line-up with a good combination of youthful energy, experience and pure speed. We look forward to working with Jack and Pierre to develop the car further and take the team forward.”

Doohan called the promotion an “exciting moment.”

“I am delighted to have been awarded a full-time race seat with the BWT Alpine F1 Team in 2025. I am very grateful for the trust and belief of the team management. There is so much work ahead to be prepared and ready and I will do my best in the meantime to absorb as much information and knowledge as possible to be ready for the step up,” said Doohan. “It is extremely satisfying to be the first Alpine Academy graduate to get a race seat with the team and I am extremely grateful to those who have supported me along the way to make this happen. It is an exciting moment, a proud day for my family and I am looking forward to taking it all in and working hard behind the scenes.”

Doohan last raced full-time in the 2023 season, finishing third in the championship while driving for Invicta and winning three of the last five feature races. Rather than return to the F2 grid this season, Doohan decided to focus his full attention on his reserve duties for Alpine in the hope of securing a place on the grid.

Doohan explained his responsibilities to me when we spoke in Miami.

“Stay ready to get in the car,” Doohan said when I asked him what his job entails. “This includes attending all media briefings, technical briefings, pre- and post-session meetings, as well as participating in marketing activations, marketing meetings, and spending time with (communications teams and social media teams). I try to make the most of myself and my time here to make sure I’m as prepared as possible.”

And now Alpine believes he is ready.