Jack Douhan, the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, was raised on the Gold Coast of Australia, before Jack Douhan, who was a spare driver for the Alpine at the time, and one day he taught me that he dreamed of racing at the Australian Grand Prix.
Later this week, that dream will become reality.
Formula 1 season in 2025 began this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix, with this year's Duhan appearing on the grid, securing a full-time spot with Alpine alongside Pierre Guthrie. The rookie driver “can't wait” for experience.
“I can't wait to start the 2025 Formula One season. Doing that in Australia's home turf makes it even more special. Starting my full-time rookie season at Albert Park is a dream come true, and the support from the fans is incredible, so I'm soaking every time,” Duhan said in the team's media preview. “I've worked so hard for this opportunity. Now it's about working closely with the team and ensuring we extract the absolute maximum value from the car.”
Still, there will be races this weekend, and Doohan and Guthrie are now facing the challenge of the “tricky” Albert Park circuit.
“Albert Park is a tricky circuit, some street tracks, some permanent circuits, and something unique. The surface can be slippery, so it's important to get the rhythm quickly into the rhythm,” Doohan continued. “A strong start to the season is always important, so we hope we can put it all together and kick things off the right way. It's hard to accurately predict where you're going to be in performance until you get back on track in Melbourne, but our goal is to optimize every aspect of your car and put it in the best possible position.”
As for Guthrie, he believes Alpine is on their way to go, given how it developed throughout the 2024 season. The team began the year behind the grid, but moved up to sixth place in the Constructors Championship, securing a double codium at Sao Paulo Grambria along the way.
“Albert Park is a unique street circuit, bumpy and tricky. The first few races of the year are always unpredictable as the tracks are all different. Consistency is key in close midfield battles,” Guthrie said. “Last year we started the season in a tough place, and the way we made things turn out really impressive,” the veteran driver continued. “I've never seen such a transformation during the season. In the long run, we're here to compete in front of us. It takes time, but I really believe we're heading in the right direction.
“I can't wait to see how they start the season in Melbourne and perform in the competition.”
