Jack Doohan has reached the centre of the motorsport universe, but on the interview couch at the first drivers’ press conference of the season in Melbourne on Thursday, he remained very much on the outer.
Seated alongside world champion Max Verstappen and countryman Oscar Piastri, a man whose form warranted a contract extension this week from constructers champions McLaren, Doohan’s fragile place in Formula One was evident.
His colleagues were relaxed, lounging with crossed legs, sharing the knowing asides cultivated through years in the F1 circus. Doohan, in contrast, wore a blank stare between answers and chewed gum.
Finally, in front of rows of chairs packed with journalists, one asked Doohan of the “elephant in the room”: how he responds to speculation he may have no more than three races to prove himself before Alpine officials replace him with reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who scored two top-10 finishes for Williams last year.
“Great question,” Doohan said, to a room of nervous laughter. “I haven’t been thinking about any of that, because – as you all know – there’s no point thinking about rumours or commenting on them.”
Whatever the nature around Alpine’s expectations for Doohan, it is clear he has not yet proven himself as a talent worthy of an F1 seat. While Piastri blitzed the junior ranks and triggered a tug-of-war between teams hungry for his services, Doohan was successful in Formula 3 and Formula 2 without ever winning a championship.
After working as a reserve driver for Alpine over two years, the Alpine Academy product’s seat in the elite class for 2025 was secured midway through last year, and he was given a chance to make his debut in the final round at Abu Dhabi. But in that race, he qualified on the second last row of the grid and ended 15th on a track on which he had tested extensively.
He said the experience was important to help manage his nerves and prepare him for his next grand prix in Melbourne. “I was already thinking about here this weekend back then, and my feelings have changed quite a lot since then, with so much time to digest that this weekend’s going to happen,” Doohan said. “I’ve become very comfortable, relaxed with what’s to come, and it’s helped a lot.”
Doohan is part of a group of six Formula One rookies this year in a period of transition for the sport. The driver turnover will be followed by new regulations next year that require more agile cars and adjustable front and rear wings. For now, the Australian is talking like he will be part of the sport’s future. “I have a contract for at least this year, if not more, so I look forward to many home grand prix,” he said. “The uncertainties, you don’t bother worrying about them anyway.”
The son of five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan is realistic about what’s in his rear mirror. “I have to perform each and every time I’m in the car, regardless if I have one guy chasing my seat,” he said. “We have four reserve drivers and all four of them, not just Franco, probably wants my seat and if not Pierre [Gasly]’s as well.”
Doohan had to stay inside his Gold Coast home for three days last week as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred battered the Queensland coast. But he said it was nice not having to go outside, and to “switch off”. He has spent much of the off-season – if not his life – building towards this weekend. Michael Schumacher gave Doohan a go-kart not long after he began to walk, setting into train a path that took him from karting in Australia to racing open wheelers in Europe.
The 22-year-old said he has done all he can do to prepare. “I’m mentally fit, physically fit. I’ve done the groundwork. For me the nerves, the pressure, it shouldn’t really be an issue knowing that I’ve done everything that I can to put my best foot forward. Then the rest, you don’t think about that, that’ll come as it will be, and I’m just looking forward to actually driving.”
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To survivee, Doohan will need to remain competitive with his experienced team-mate Gasly, who finished 10th in the driver’s standings last year. The attention on the Australian means his lap times will provide one of the more intriguing storylines of Formula One’s opening round.
Piastri is just a year older than Doohan, but in terms of status stands many rungs above his countryman. The McLaren driver – one of the favourites for the driver’s title – said he was happy to have another countryman in the paddock after Daniel Ricciardo’s time has come to an end, but was serious in giving advice to the rookie. “Time is going to be an important thing and trying to learn,” Piastri said. “But yeah, it’s always great to have another Aussie, and I think Jack has proved through his junior career that he deserves a chance.”
Doohan said he is just trying to make the most of his first home grand prix. “I’m going to enjoy, to be honest, every race as if it’s my last.”
