Doohan gives surprising ‘nerves’ insight after late Alpine call

Jack Doohan has stated he expects his nerves will be less for his F1 race debut compared to if he was solely doing FP1 in Abu Dhabi.

Shortly after the Qatar Grand Prix, Alpine confirmed Doohan would make his race debut for the squad this weekend stepping in for Esteban Ocon who departed the outfit early.

Doohan was due to drive the opening free practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit ahead of his full-time season next year.

However, Alpine opted to call up the 21-year-old for the entire weekend.

When asked when he learned he would make his debut in Abu Dhabi, he told media including RacingNews365: “The same time [as everyone else], to be honest, on Sunday night.”

The Australian stated he will feel more comfortable heading into the grand prix with two extra practice sessions under his belt.

“I would have been doing FP1  this weekend,” he said. “So now FP2 and FP3 is new territory for me but I'm actually quite happy. 

“If there were any nerves doing FP1, there are less as I'm doing the full race weekend. I now know I have more time to build into it and just to take it step by step. 

“So I've really enjoyed this week mentally as well, leading up to it. I'm excited.”

Doohan added the Abu Dhabi weekend is an opportunity to get an early insight into what he can expect during his first full season next year.

“It's a great opportunity just to run through the motions and go over everything like a driver parade that I've never done, laps to the grid that I've never done from junior categories,” he said. 

“So these little things that are a new territory now, I just get to familiarise myself before next year.

“I think it's going to feel real when I jump in the car for FP2, when I'm not coming out of FP1 and jumping straight back into Formula 2 machinery.

“Knowing that I'll actually be doing the rest of the weekend, that's probably when it's going to kick in.”

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