F1 icon Ralf Schumacher can’t believe Alpine have given Jack Doohan a seat next year (Image: GETTY)
F1 icon Ralf Schumacher can’t believe has for the 2025 season. Doohan will replace at Alpine next year after excelling as a reserve driver for the Enstone team.
Doohan joined the Alpine academy ahead of the 2022 season following a spell in the junior programme.
The Australian finished second in F3 in 2021, before ending the 2023 season with a second-place finish in F2.
Alpine publicly praised Doohan for his ‘Herculean’ effort in the simulator ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix in May, with the 21-year-old going on to finish 15th in his first race for the team in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
But Schumacher, who was an F1 driver between 1997 and 2007, has suggested that Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore wouldn’t have necessarily wanted to see Doohan taking an F1 seat for the team.
“In Formula 1 you don’t have a lot of time,” Schumacher explained during an appearance on Sky Germany. “There are enough young drivers who are waiting. I am curious in any case and there will be more things to come, also at Alpine.
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Jack Doohan will team up with Pierre Gasly to race for Alpine next year (Image: GETTY)
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“I still can’t believe that Jack Doohan is signed, even though the contract is done. I think Flavio Briatore had other things in mind.”
Alpine announced that Doohan would become ’s team-mate as they released a statement in August.
And the team’s new chief Oliver Oakes said at the time: “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.
“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.
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“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.”
Meanwhile, Doohan added: “I am so happy to secure promotion into a full-time race seat in 2025 with BWT Alpine F1 Team. I am very grateful for the trust and belief by the team’s senior management.
“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.”