We pull up trackside for an exclusive chat with Aussie F1 driver JACK DOOHAN to find out how the Aussie is preparing for his upcoming Formula One debut with French constructor Alpine…
Australia’s Jack Doohan is ready to “feel everything” as he prepares to make his race debut on the Formula One grid with the BWT Alpine F1 Team in 2025. It is late September inside the paddock at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix and MAXIM has locked in the first interview with the French constructor’s shiny new hire. Alpine has steadily clawed its way back to the midfield with the combination of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, but Ocon will be replaced by Doohan next year, adding yet another Aussie to the grid.
The 21-year-old is currently in his second year as Alpine’s reserve driver and comes to F1 after an illustrious stint in Formula Two with Britain’s Virtuosi Racing. Racing is also in his blood, literally, as the only son of legendary five time MotoGP World Champion Mick Doohan. Mick, who is with his son in Singapore, quickly dashes past our table to chat to Jack during our interview, but more on that later. Around the paddock, there is a palpable changing of the guard as the final seats are locked in for the 2025 season, promising the biggest shake up to the sport in years.
Reserve drivers like Ferrari’s Oliver Bearman and Williams’ midseason replacement Franco Colapinto have already made their names after scoring points in maiden races. Meanwhile, grid veterans like Ocon, Valterri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen and Zhou Guanyu are all set to leave F1 after the season closes in Abu Dhabi. In the media lounge, journalists gossip about Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo being axed by RB and replaced by Kiwi reserve Liam Lawson, which ultimately did happen days later. It’s amid this atmosphere of revolution MAXIM sits down with Doohan inside Alpine hospitality to learn more about Jack’s journey from the Gold Coast to the fast lane.
Hey, Jack! Welcome to Singapore. How does it feel to be back here, trackside?
Singapore is a physically demanding place, especially for the drivers here, the heat is one thing and humidity is another. Luckily, we’re driving in the night but it’s still somewhere where driving prep is important. But I like it, being Aussie and knowing how to handle the heat and growing up with that, I feel like we’ve got a bit of an advantage.
What is it about Aussie drivers? We’re a pretty small country but there’s now three Aussies on the grid.
It’s awesome, it shows what we’re doing in Australia with our junior categories, the performance and competitiveness we’re providing is at a top level which is really great. Being so far away, it is awesome to have quite a majority on the grid considering the number of nationalities on there.
You’ve had an amazing career in F2, now moving to F1 in 2025, how did it feel to get the call and find out you’re joining Pierre Gasly on the grid next year?
It was an amazing feeling to be able to get that finalised was surreal and it’s something we’ve been working towards for a long time. I couldn’t be happier and I’m just looking forward to getting properly started.
Your first race next year will be the Melbourne Grand Prix in March, is it extra special to start off 2025 with your home race?
One hundred per cent. Starting off at home is something I could have only dreamed of, at the start of this year as well. I’m really looking forward to it, obviously it is going to be important that I focus on what I’m there to actually do which is driving and having a great weekend, but I just want to soak up the whole weekend in and make the most of the emotion and all that comes with it.
We recently chatted to Zhou Guanyu and he was describing the emotion of his first home race in Shanghai. Do you think there’s a special pride to racing in front of your home crowd?
For sure. There’s a different emotion, the supporters and fans are all behind you and I look forward to feeling that. I’ve gotten to experience the last two years being there but to actually be racing in Formula One on the grid – the main stage – with the team behind me will be really cool.
And how do you think you’ll go racing with Gasly? What do you admire in him as a racer and teammate?
He’s got a heavy experience in Formula One now, seven years, longer than I’ve been in car racing. So, I look forward to benefiting from that, working well with him and making the most of our youth to help the team go forward.
There’s so much that goes into making it onto the grid. How do you find balance between racing and your own personal life and family and friends?
It’s just the right balance to be honest. Making the most of the time away from the track, ensuring you’re doing the right thing and prioritising what’s worth your time, what’s useful, what’s good for the body and mind, otherwise you can get overloaded, and things can start to go downhill from there.
Success in motorsport runs deep in your family. Does your dad give you guidance and inspiration in your own career?
For sure he gives me guidance. I think he’ll be giving me guidance until the day I die. He has such a rich history and is a very, very successful, five-time champion of the world, so his foundation is so thick, and he has so much knowledge to give. I’m super grateful for that and now I’m at a stage where I feel like I can benefit from it more than ever. ■
By REILLY SULLIVAN
For the full article grab the November 2024 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
