Jack Doohan's Road to F1 2025: A Promising Future After Abu Dhabi Debut
Jack Doohan’s entry into Formula 1 in 2024 was nothing short of a whirlwind. Despite the late call-up in Abu Dhabi, the young Australian impressed many, especially Alpine team boss, Oliver Oakes. Doohan's F1 debut, initially sparked by Esteban Ocon's early departure to Haas for the Abu Dhabi test, came just before his full-time seat in 2025. Alpine was locked in a fierce battle with Haas and RB Racing for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, making Doohan’s appearance even more significant.
Oakes, reflecting on Doohan’s performance, expressed satisfaction with the rookie’s efforts despite the challenging circumstances. "He did a really good job," said Oakes. "It wasn’t the ideal debut for him, overshadowed by a lot of external factors, but he handled it brilliantly." The driver’s performance was most notable in his qualifying efforts, especially his first Q1 run, which was close to Pierre Gasly. However, a chaotic final corner in his second qualifying run added to the baptism by fire experience.
Oakes highlighted the steep learning curve that came with racing at the back of the grid. "In qualifying, his second run was a real challenge. That’s the reality of being at the back – you need to keep your elbows out," said Oakes. But despite this, Doohan kept his composure and delivered when it mattered most. "In the race, he did exactly what we needed him to do – kept it clean, had a solid second stint, and even helped slow down the Haas."
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For Oakes, Doohan’s ability to block out the external noise and perform under pressure was a sign of his professionalism and readiness for the next step. "He really deserves credit for keeping focused and delivering a solid weekend," Oakes summed up. "It’s a testament to his character and talent."
As the festive season came to a close, Doohan’s focus shifted to preparations for the 2025 season. January will see him return to the Alpine base in Australia, where he’ll dive into intense simulator work ahead of the new season. Oakes recognizes the importance of track time for a rookie driver like Doohan, and that’s where the real learning will happen.
"He’s always been waiting in the wings, ready for his chance," Oakes noted. "He’s managed to adapt quickly to the F1 environment, and while testing and simulator work are crucial, it’s the actual race weekends that will give him the experience he needs." The upcoming pre-season tests and the start of the 2025 season will be critical for Doohan as he continues to develop and adjust to the world of Formula 1.
Looking ahead, Oakes emphasizes that while Doohan is a rookie, there is plenty of excitement surrounding the influx of young talent in the 2025 grid. "It’s an exciting year for young drivers. There’s a lot of new faces, and it’s going to be a learning process for all of them. But that’s part of what makes this journey special."
In the midst of all the preparation, Oakes is confident in Doohan’s ability to adapt and rise to the challenge, even if there’s still a lot of growth to be done. As for Doohan, he remains focused on getting better, eager to make the number seven he’s adopted for 2025 his own, a number that carries the legacy of Kimi Räikkönen, one of his biggest idols.
With the 2025 season just around the corner, Jack Doohan’s promising debut in Abu Dhabi has set the stage for what looks to be an exciting and defining year for him in Formula 1.
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