Doohan ready for challenge of F1 despite high rookie benchmark

Alpine boss Oliver Oakes believes that Jack Doohan is well prepared for his Formula 1 debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, although admits the benchmark set by other debutants this year is high.

Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon for the season finale after the Frenchman was released from the team to join Haas in the end-of-season test at Yas Marina.

The Australian, son of five-time motorcycling world champion Mick, has undergone an extensive testing of previous cars programme in preparation for his debut next year in lieu of any racing activities this season.

Oakes believes that Doohan should cope well with the demands, although says that this year’s performances of in-season substitutes like Ollie Bearman does raise the bar of expectation.

“I think anyone who gets thrown into an F1 car in a race like that, it’s never easy to judge, is it?,” Oakes said.

“I think the problem is you’ve got the benchmark that Bearman set [at Jeddah], which was phenomenal. And I mean this in a nice way, as he’s hugely talented, but you had Kimi with the sort of pressure in Monza.

“I think at the end of the day, Jack’s just got to take it as he finds it. I think he’s professional enough to handle it. I think as well, once you ease into the weekend, FP1, FP2, you can build up to it as well.

Jack Doohan, Alpine A524

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Oakes explained that the worthiness of the team’s TPC programme for young drivers was demonstrated by Oscar Piastri’s emergence in F1 – even if his predecessors fumbled the Melburnian’s signing ahead of 2023 as Piastri went to McLaren.

He added that Doohan’s presence in the Alpine garage means that his working knowledge of the team should stand him in good stead for his debut.

“I think the programme has been, I dare say, well planned for him. I think although the team doesn’t get much credit from the [Oscar] Piastri situation, they obviously are pretty good with young drivers and preparing them.

“And I think Jack’s been on that same path. He’s been with me quite a bit in the garage.

“He listens to the intercom with me, and Flav, giving us his two pennies as well. So I’m sure he’s ready for it.”

Doohan will race with his reserve driver number, 61, for the Abu Dhabi race – but will take the #7 for 2025 as Kimi Raikkonen’s allocation of the number expired this season.