Forward of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix Jack Doohan, then a reserve driver at Alpine, advised me about rising up on Australia’s Gold Coast and dreaming of racing within the Australian Grand Prix at some point.
Later this week, that dream will develop into a actuality.
The 2025 Components 1 season kicks off this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, and this yr Doohan can be on the grid, having secured a full-time spot at Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly. The rookie driver “can not wait’ for the expertise.
“I can not wait to kick off the 2025 Components One season and doing it on dwelling turf in Australia makes it much more particular. Beginning my full-time rookie season in Albert Park is a dream come true and the help from the followers can be unimaginable so I can be absorbing each second,” mentioned Doohan within the workforce’s media preview. “I’ve labored so exhausting for this chance, now it’s about working carefully with the workforce and guaranteeing I extract absolutely the most from the automotive.”
Nonetheless, there’s a race this weekend, and Doohan and Gasly now face the problem of the “difficult” Albert Park circuit.
“Albert Park is a difficult circuit, it’s half avenue observe, half everlasting circuit, which makes it distinctive. The floor will be slippery, and getting right into a rhythm early is vital,” continued Doohan. “A robust begin to the season is at all times essential, so I’m hoping we will put all the pieces collectively and kick issues off the precise approach. It’s exhausting to foretell precisely the place we can be by way of efficiency till we get out on observe in Melbourne, however our objective is to optimise each side of the automotive and put ourselves in the absolute best place.”
As for Gasly, he believes that Alpine is on their approach up, given how they developed all through the 2024 season. The workforce started the yr in the back of the grid however battled up the standings to complete sixth within the Constructors’ Championship, securing a double-podium on the São Paulo Grand Prix alongside the best way.
“Albert Park is a novel avenue circuit, bumpy and difficult, and the primary few races of the yr are at all times unpredictable as a result of the tracks are all so totally different. In a good midfield battle, consistency can be key,” mentioned Gasly. “Final yr, we began the season in a tricky place, however the best way we turned issues round was actually spectacular,” continued the veteran driver. “I haven’t seen a change like that inside a season earlier than. Long run, we’re right here to compete on the entrance. It should take time, however I actually imagine we’re on the right track.
“I can’t wait to get the season began in Melbourne and to see how we carry out towards the competitors.”
