Doohan heads to Mexico, Abu Dhabi for F1 free practice with Alpine

Brazil is a sprint race, with qualifying taking place in the afternoon after FP1, so these will be the last chances for any team to run their rookies this year.

It is understood that the confusion surrounding officially finalizing Oscar Piastri’s exit from the squad delayed the official confirmation of Doohan’s outing.

The latter was due to run for Alpine FP1 this year, but that naturally became unrealistic after his move to McLaren was confirmed.

Esteban Ocon clears the car for Mexico so Doohan can take over FP1.

“I am very grateful to Alpine for giving me the opportunity to drive in the Mexican free practice,” said Doohan.

“It is always a great honor to be entrusted with driving a Formula 1 car and to have the opportunity during a Grand Prix weekend is very special.

“Ultimately, the goal is to do this every week, and this experience is another step towards achieving that goal. I think it will be very exciting.A circuit with high altitude and very high top speed.

“I work hard that day, do everything the team sets out to do, and at the same time enjoy the moment because I know it will be a unique opportunity.”

Jack Doohan, Virtuosi Racing

Photo credit: Formula Motorsport Ltd

Doohan has been preparing to run on Alpine’s 2021 car outings, including last month’s Budapest in the same session where Nick de Vries and Antonio Giovinazzi drove the car. He also gained a brief experience with current cars during the filming at Monza.

Doohan was highly regarded within the Alpine camp, and he was seen as a possible Plan B if the team failed to secure Pierre Gasly’s services for 2023.

He won the sprints at Silverstone and Hungary, the feature race at Spa and put himself in the frame in a strong rookie F2 season. He is currently 4th in the points standings.

With both Gasly and Ocon secured at the Enston camp, it remains to be seen what Doohan’s options will be for next year and beyond.

Several other teams are yet to confirm who will fill the final FP1 slot, with both Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri having to do one session.

Liam Lawson is a candidate for both seats, assuming de Vries is not an option in Abu Dhabi due to his ongoing contract with Mercedes. The Dutchman has one more session to do with his W13 in Mexico.

Other FP1 trips include Pietro Fittipaldi (Haas, Mexico, Abu Dhabi), Pato Oward (McLaren, Abu Dhabi), Felipe Dragovic (Aston Martin, Abu Dhabi), Robert Schwartzman (Ferrari, Abu Dhabi) and Logan Sargent . (Williams, Mexico, Abu Dhabi).

Many of the drivers who have completed FP1 sessions this year will also participate in rookie testing in Abu Dhabi after the race weekend, as part of Pirelli’s preparations for 2023. Then head to AlphaTauri.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/doohan-set-for-mexico-abu-dhabi-f1-free-practice-runs-with-alpine/10389888/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=RSS-ALL&utm_term=News&utm_content=uk Doohan heads to Mexico, Abu Dhabi for F1 free practice with Alpine

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