Jack Doohan: Flavio Briatore, the Benchmark in F1 Leadership

Jack Doohan praises Flavio Briatore, highlighting his leadership excellence as the standard for Formula 1 team principals worldwide.

Jack Doohan will be Pierre Gasly’s teammate this year at Alpine F1.

The son of Mick Doohan, a five-time 500cc motorcycle racing world champion, Doohan finished third in F2 in 2023. Beyond these facts, however, little is known about Esteban Ocon’s successor.

If he had to describe himself in three words, what would the Australian say?

“I’d say athletic – I’m really passionate about sports. I’d also say funny! And focused,” Doohan reveals.

Doohan naturally grew up immersed in the motorsport world. Even though an accident steered him away from two wheels, his choice of single-seaters was far from a fallback option.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved motorsport – whether on two wheels or four. I chose the four-wheel path over two. Whatever I do or would have done, I know I want to do it properly and reach the top, the ultimate goal in this sport. For us, that’s F1. This passion, being surrounded by motorsport from a young age, meeting famous people and heroes of our sport… Michael Schumacher, since I was very young, seeing what he achieved and what’s possible in this sport, with its highs and lows – that’s something I dream of and am about to fully embrace.”

So, did his father Mick Doohan object to his son choosing four wheels over two?

“He never really said anything, honestly! I’m sure deep down he was very happy I chose a much safer path. While there are dangers in everything, if I make a mistake in a car, I can fortunately walk away and manage. But if I lock the front wheel on a bike, the outcome won’t be the same. He never really said much but always supported me in whatever I chose to do.”

Does Doohan already have close friends in the F1 paddock? The Australian seems to have already strengthened ties between Oceanian countries!

“I’d say Liam Lawson. Shared interests, conversations… It might sound odd, but outside of F1, we don’t just care about cars for their aesthetics or material aspects, but for performance, settings, the technical side. In terms of gaming, esports, simulators, we share a lot. And we’re from the same part of the world; we’re pretty far from everyone else!”

If he had to name a team principal and two drivers to form his dream team, who would Doohan choose?

“Hmm… Tough question! My two idols are Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, and I’d have Flavio Briatore as team principal,” says Jack Doohan, who cleverly mentions his boss and manager.

And to form a band?

“Well, Liam sings and plays guitar, so he could be the singer and guitarist. Charles [Leclerc] on piano. I can play drums, so I’d be the drummer, I guess. Not sure about the other roles, but that’s already a good trio!”

Finally, where does Jack Doohan see himself in five years?

“I’d like to still be in F1, with Alpine, fighting for wins, podiums, and world championships.”