The more than likely development for Doohan is that he concentrates on the Alpine reserve function and is totally embedded within the Enstone workforce subsequent yr, whereas persevering with his take a look at programme in a two-year-old automotive.
Whereas he has attended all Grands Prix as a reserve this yr, and took half in FP1 in Mexico on Friday, his F2 commitments meant that his principal focus was on the latter sequence at weekends when each have been on the invoice.
Nevertheless there additionally stays the chance that he dovetails his F1 function with an WEC programme.
Alpine’s hypercar mission presents an apparent alternative, however Doohan insists that no resolution has been made to date.
The Australian at present lies fourth within the F2 standings after an at occasions troublesome sophomore season with Virtuosi noticed him rating two characteristic wins.
“At present I will not be competing iIn F2 for subsequent yr,” he stated. “It would not appear lifelike, with the scenario and all the pieces that is kind of gone on.
“I’ve made essentially the most of it, I feel we have performed an awesome job with what’s been in my management. So doing [a third year] would not be a lot of a acquire.
“My two years in F2 have not essentially gone precisely to plan. I am certain everybody can say that, it by no means actually does. However via that, and thru the unhealthy moments, the highs, with what’s been in my management, I feel I’ve performed properly, and been in a position to present my capabilities.
“Doing one other yr in F2, should you win it, you are anticipated to, should you do not, chances are you’ll as properly… There’s not a lot to realize. So there’s all to lose and never a lot to realize.
“At present I’ve acquired no course of WEC or something confirmed. So I am nonetheless very a lot in line of F1, the workforce continues to be pushing for that and staying inside the workforce, and nonetheless pushing for a F1 seat. So that is my route. And I am certain I am going to get there.”
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Jack Doohan (AUS, Invicta Virtuosi Racing), celebrates victory on the rostrum
Doohan harassed that if he did transfer into sportscars it could be one other stepping stone to F1 quite than a change of course.
“What we’re actually focusing on, even when I used to be to enterprise out to WEC, the plan could be to return again to F1 in ’25,” he stated. “In order that would not be a plan to remain. The [Alpine F1] workforce are pleased with the work that we’re doing, and the trajectory that we’re going for.
“If a chance involves drive in that course, to additional my basis and broaden my information on totally different areas – however the objective and the trajectory continues to be F1.”
He added: “I did not miss a race this yr. Clearly, that features the 14 that I do with F2. And looking out sooner or later, clearly, if I used to be to be right here as properly, I’d be at each spherical, taking in all the pieces that I can, not lacking any alternative, and persevering with this progress and this development.”
Doohan acknowledged {that a} stint in WEC might be a helpful a part of his training.
“It is a utterly totally different philosophy,” he stated. “You are driving with two different individuals, the precedence is not about being the quickest over one lap, it is about being the quicker over the stint, and likewise working with different drivers as a result of you must make everybody as quick as attainable to make the bundle in the long run, win the race.
“For certain, I would not flip down the chance, it could be very nice to grasp clearly endurance racing. F1, it is a totally different philosophy, however you might be additionally in an extended race the place you having to carry and coast, you are having to handle points.
“So studying that in WEC, getting via and dealing via that in excessive strain environments, it is solely going to assist after I after I come again into this paddock.”
He downplayed the tantalising chance of hooking up with Mick Schumacher, who’s in line for an Alpine WEC seat following a latest take a look at within the A424 at Jerez. Their respective households have been shut for years.
“Could be good for the media,” he stated. “However for me, I actually, as you guys would know, I’ve no real interest in making something look good for the press in the meanwhile!
“I’ve loads of time to do this later in my profession. However for now, I simply wish to do what’s finest for me, what is going on to profit me most and provides me the most effective alternative to get a fulltime seat in ’25.”