Jack Doohan may have Tropical Cyclone Alfred to thank if his Formula 1 dream survives beyond the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend.
Last week, Doohan was confined to his Gold Coast home for three days while ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred battered the Queensland coast.
Rather than disrupt his preparations, Doohan said the forced downtime allowed him a rare chance to ‘switch off.’
Cyclone Alfred emerged in the Coral Sea on February 22, 2025, eventually striking near Brisbane in early March after an unusual westward trajectory.
The storm caused significant damage across the Gold Coast, with winds surpassing 100 km/h and rainfall approaching 200mm in some areas.
Iconic beaches like Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach suffered extensive erosion, severely impacting the region’s tourism industry, which faced estimated losses of $137 million due to reduced visitor numbers.
Aussie Jack Doohan focused ahead of his first home Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday
Gold Coast beaches severely damaged by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred that struck last week
Doohan is under pressure from Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto to keep his spot
Over 132,000 homes across southeast Queensland were affected by power outages, leaving residents without electricity for days.
Yet amidst this chaos, Doohan found calm, saying it was ‘nice not having to go outside,’ using the downtime to mentally prepare for what lies ahead.
At just 22, Doohan has spent nearly his entire life gearing up for moments like these.
His motorsport journey began shortly after he could walk, influenced heavily by Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, who gifted Jack and his sister their first go-karts.
It was Schumacher’s encouragement that set Doohan on a four-wheeled trajectory rather than following the motorcycle legacy of his famous father, Mick.
Doohan quickly rose through the Australian karting scene, winning the CIK Stars of Karting Series and the Queensland Kart Championship by age 11, then securing an Australian Kart Championship the following year.
International karting success soon followed, leading Doohan to make the transition into open-wheel racing in Europe.
In 2021, Doohan established himself firmly on the radar of Formula 1 teams by finishing second in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, progressing to third in Formula 2 the next year.
His impressive results caught the attention of Alpine, who signed him as a reserve driver, eventually promoting him to a full-time Formula 1 seat for 2025 following Esteban Ocon’s departure to Haas.
However, Doohan’s journey into Formula 1 has been far from straightforward. Despite having one of Australia’s most recognised surnames in motorsport, Jack faces immediate pressure to retain his seat.
Alpine’s signing of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver has intensified scrutiny, with controversial executive advisor Flavio Briatore reportedly favouring the Argentine over the Australian.
Colapinto made headlines last season during a nine-race stint for Williams, placing further pressure on Doohan to immediately deliver strong performances.
Alpine appears to have given Doohan just three races to demonstrate his worth, beginning this weekend in Melbourne, alongside experienced French teammate Pierre Gasly.
Asked about this pressure during Thursday’s media conference at Albert Park, Doohan calmly responded, ‘I haven’t been thinking about any of that because there’s no point thinking about rumours or commenting on them.’
‘I have a contract for at least this year, if not more, so I look forward to many home Grands Prix.’
Regardless, Doohan acknowledges the harsh realities of Formula 1.
Doohan carries the famous family name, with his father becoming an Aussie icon on two wheels
Doohan is his son’s biggest supporter and believes his competitive spirit can carry him a long way
Doohan will line up for Alpine in qualifying on Saturday from 4pm AEDT at Albert Park
‘I have to perform each and every time I’m in the car. We have four reserve drivers, and all four of them probably want my seat, and if not Pierre’s as well,’ he said.
Fellow Australian driver Oscar Piastri, now established at McLaren and a title contender, welcomed Doohan to the F1 paddock but cautioned him about the steep learning curve.
‘Time is going to be an important thing and trying to learn,’ Piastri said. ‘Jack has proved through his junior career that he deserves a chance.’
Doohan’s father, Mick, remains his greatest supporter, believing firmly in his son’s competitive spirit.
‘Second was never an option for Jack,’ Mick said in a 2022 interview.
‘Jack’s not happy if he’s not winning, and when things don’t go well, it’s not ‘we did our best’ – there has to be a reason.’
