Jack Doohan opens up on 'tricky' Alpine experience after F1 demotion

Jack Doohan has revealed the final few months of his time with Alpine were "tricky", but he is adamant that what he learned from the experience will stand him in good stead in his bid to return to an F1 race seat. 

Doohan was handed his F1 chance at the end of 2024, stepping in for the outbound Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi.

Over the winter that followed, advisor Flavio Briatore signed Franco Colapinto, despite the Argentinian driver's crash-strewn end to his season with Williams.

Doohan, though, was handed the drive at the start of 2025, alongside Pierre Gasly, but was jettisoned after just six grands prix, reverting to a reserve driver role whilst Colapinto was promoted.

The Australian was then released by Alpine at the end of last year, but earlier this month was confirmed as the reserve driver at Haas for this season, ironically deputising for Ocon again, as well as Oliver Bearman.

Reflecting on a challenging period of his career, and the advice handed to him by his father Mick, a five-time 500cc motorbike champion, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Doohan said: "Advice helps.

"Obviously, he hadn't been through that exact situation, but for sure, the support is great. It was nice to have him around."

On his time at Alpine, he added: "Six races, like anything, are great in Formula 1. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Environment and atmosphere were tricky nonetheless, and what followed was also not ideal.

"But we lived it out, and learned an extreme amount. We have a bigger foundation to grow off, and, hopefully, when I can return to Formula 1, I'll take all the things I've learned  - the hard way - through that time and put it into practice."

Doohan reveals possible 2026 race plan

Doohan at least has a foot in F1 again with his new role at Haas, declaring it "nice to have a fresh start and be in some new colours".

The 23-year-old knows, however, that he needs to be driving again as it is approaching 10 months since he last competed, with his final drive for Alpine being in the Miami Grand Prix in early May last year.

Doohan did have a tryout in Super Formula over the winter break, one that did not work out, notably as he crashed on consecutive test days.

Assessing his options at such a late stage, with many motorsport seasons - like F1 - set to start again, he said: "I definitely know that racing is 100 per cent the priority, and I still will be racing this year."

Confirming an LMP2 test earlier this month with Algarve Pro Racing, he added there was a possibility of racing in ELMS, and also to do the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"It's whatever is going to fit best, while also spending as much time as I can here [with Haas]," he said.