Another young Australian will get his first taste of Formula 1 action at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend.
Alpine junior Jack Doohan will drive Esteban Ocon’s car during the first free practice session on Saturday morning (AEDT).
Every team is mandated to run junior drivers in two free practice sessions throughout the year.
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Doohan’s opportunity has likely only come after Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri signed a racing deal with McLaren for next year, but it’s regardless one he’s “extremely grateful” for as he eyes a seat on the grid for 2024.
“It’s always a huge honour to be entrusted to drive a Formula 1 car, so to have the opportunity on a Grand Prix weekend is very special,” he said.
“Ultimately, the aim is to be doing this every week and this experience is another step closer to achieving that goal.
“I’ve prepared as best as I can, and I think it’s going to be very exciting to experience the car at this type of circuit with the high altitude and very high top speed.
“I’ll work hard on the day, do everything the team sets out and, at the same time, enjoy the moment as I know it’s going to be a unique opportunity.”
The team announced Doohan would also drive in FP1 at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Doohan has been racing for the Virtuosi team in Formula 2 this season, and was an outside title contender before being taken out at Zandvoort.
Doohan was also a smokey to fill the seat of Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso before the team announced Pierre Gasly for an all-French line-up for next year.
He has won sprint races at Silverstone and Hungary before picking up his first feature race win at Spa in August.
Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer said Doohan, son of Aussie MotoGP champion Mick, was deserving of the opportunity.
“We have all been impressed with Jack’s progression across many areas this season and he’s deserving of this chance as we continue to nurture his high potential,” he said.
“It’s important to give our young drivers opportunities to test Formula 1 cars and our Academy programme has proven to be successful in doing just that.
“We expect Jack to work hard during the session and take as much as he can from the experience of being involved in a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.”
Doohan will become just the third Australian since 1994 to take part in an official Grand Prix weekend – the other two being Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo.
An Alpine junior driver since 2020, Oscar Piastri was to be the man to get the drives as the team’s official reserve driver before his defection to McLaren.
The mandatory sessions are for drivers who have appeared in two or less grands prix.
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