Formerly a member of the Alpine Academy, Piastri was part of one of the strangest driver market sagas back in 2022, when Alpine put out a press release to confirm him as Fernando Alonso’s replacement for the 2023 season, only for Piastri to put out a now iconic tweet to claim that was not true.
“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year,” that tweet began.
“This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.”
And with driver market business on the agenda again, Alpine made a cheeky reference to that tweet ahead of confirming Jack Doohan – Piastri’s fellow Australian – as their choice to partner Pierre Gasly for F1 2025.
“We understand that… 🧐,” Alpine would tweet ahead of their Doohan announcement, as the 21-year-old prepares to step up to the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2025.
Who Is Doohan?
A part of the Alpine Academy since 2022, Doohan has since enjoyed numerous testing and FP1 outings with Alpine, his most recent FP1 appearance being at the 2024 British Grand Prix.
Doohan will look to bask in the excitement of this opportunity for a few weeks, before getting back to his current duties as Alpine reserve driver.
“Very pleased to announce that I’ll be driving for the BWT Alpine F1 team for the 2025 season,” said Doohan in a social media video.
“It’s a dream come true for me and something that I’ve been dreaming of since a little boy hopping into a go-kart for the first time.
“I have a few weeks’ time to let this sink in now and then I’ll be super excited to get back into fulfilling my role as reserve driver for the remainder of the season, before kicking things under way next season.”
A Cheeky Reference To Piastri's 2022 Tweet
In his promotion to a race seat with Alpine, Jack Doohan has shown it is possible for junior drivers to not get lost in the third driver lottery.
Alpine has confirmed that Jack Doohan will complete their F1 2025 driver line-up alongside Pierre Gasly.
Alpine has announced the signing of Jack Doohan, who will replace Esteban Ocon from next season.
Oscar Piastri has revealed the hows and whens of his mysterious summer break rib injury...
Doohan's Journey To F1
Doohan's journey to F1 has been a steady climb through the junior ranks. He started racing karts in his native Australia, then moved into single-seaters, eventually joining the Red Bull junior program in 2018.
Doohan's F3 career started off slowly, but he finished second in the 2021 championship, winning three races and claiming two other podiums. That performance earned him a move to F2 with Virtuosi Racing, where he finished sixth in the championship in 2022.
His consistent performances impressed Alpine, who signed him to their driver academy in 2022. Doohan's 2023 F2 season saw him finish third in the championship, with three feature race victories, a further three podiums, and four pole positions. All this before being announced as Alpine's official reserve driver for 2024.
The Right Time For Doohan
Doohan has been a regular presence in the F1 paddock throughout the 2024 season, even appearing as a TV pundit. However, it's his work behind the scenes for Alpine that has seemingly earned him his F1 promotion. Aside from endless simulator work, he also impressed during FP1 appearances in Mexico City (2022 and 2023), Abu Dhabi (2022 and 2023) and Canada (2024), as well as during a private test at Le Castellet, France, in July 2024. This, coupled with Ocon's move to Haas, seems to have created the perfect opportunity for Doohan to step up.
Doohan will be looking to make the most of his opportunity in F1. He's got a lot to prove, but he's shown that he's got the talent and the determination to succeed. It will be exciting to see what he can achieve in his rookie season.
Conclusion: A New Chapter For Doohan And Alpine
Doohan’s promotion to a full-time F1 drive is a big moment for the 21-year-old. He's been working hard to get to this point and is now ready to showcase his talent on the biggest stage in motorsport. With his father's legacy to live up to, Doohan will be hoping to make a name for himself in F1. He’s got the experience, the talent, and the support of a team that believes in him. It’s all set for Doohan to impress in 2025. However, there’s a slight chance that Piastri might have the last laugh, if he can win another championship. Only time will tell who comes out on top in this ongoing saga.
