Australian rising motorsport star Jack Doohan says he's looking to use his final race in the Formula 2 championship as a stepping stone towards gaining a Formula 1 seat in the next two years.
The reserve driver for French Formula 1 team Alpine will sit out of the grid in 2024 in a bid to focus on the top tier.
Doohan currently sits in fourth position in F2 with British team Virtuosi Racing, with a chance to finish the season in second place should all results fall his way at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island track in late November, the final race of the season.
"At the moment there's just not too much to gain from doing another year," Doohan said.
"With Alpine, we're deciding that that's the best option to go forward and to focus on Formula 1.
"I've had two good years in Formula 2, there's been very strong parts. It hasn't all come together. But I think when things have been in our control, we've executed it well and made the most of it."
After using a free practice session at the Mexico Grand Prix — his first drive in F1 since completing the same two-race placements from last season — the 20-year-old said there were differences to the prior season.
"Instead of structuring it as giving away a free practice session for a rookie driver, we were able to use it as a really good test session for 2024 and structure it with a plan that's going to benefit us for next year," he said.
"It was great to be able to run through that and also execute it right.
"Physically it's something that I've been preparing for since the start of last year, if not before, making sure I'm always two steps ahead when that opportunity arises. So luckily that is all no issue.
"The difference as well from Formula 2 to Formula 1 is quite massive. It's been quite a big break since I was Formula 2 in Monza and I've had an F1 outing since then.
"Everything is just times 10 — braking, acceleration, cornering speed, it's all amplified."
Jack among the Aussies punching above their weight on the grid
After finishing last season in sixth place, Doohan's success in Hungary and Belgium feature races this year has kept him in the hunt of the eyes of the teams looking at the next generation of talent.
And with the rise of Australian rookie Oscar Piastri and the return of Daniel Ricciardo to the F1 grid, Doohan is arguably next in line with optimism to land a seat and join the contingent while biding his time through F3 and F2.
"I've still got a couple of years on my side compared to Oscar so there's definitely no rush," Doohan said.
"And he's doing an exceptional job as a rookie as well so I think it's a great example that he's setting for talent coming through.
"He's doing great things not only for the team but also for the sport.
"In 2025 there's quite a lot of possibilities, quite a lot of movement.
"So next year isn't realistic, especially within Alpine. I'm just continuing my work together with them and making sure that I'm here every weekend being ready to jump in the car if need be, and then positioning myself to be a great candidate for 2025."
Although on separate teams and commitments, a chance for any Australians in the sport to cross paths with one another is brief, though something Doohan looks forward to seeing develop over time.
"There is a great connection with Australians and also this junior single-seater ladder at the moment, there's also James Wharton and Gianmarco Pradel here in Formula 4," he said.
"There's Christian Mansell in F3, and myself here in F2, and the two in Formula 1, so it's really cool to have so many Aussies over in this part of the world at the moment and it shows that we're doing things right."
Son of a gun on the road with Dad
Growing up in the wings and being the son of legendary five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan is high pressure for any 20-year-old on the road.
But for Jack, it's all he's ever known.
"It's great having my dad there. He's been through all these emotions," he said.
"He's been at that top level and obviously knows what it's like, being the highs of consecutively winning world championships and the lows of being out, missing rounds due to injury.
"And so there's obviously not exactly comparisons (in different motorsports), but they all relate. It's great to have him in my corner."
Jack said having family by his side in the pit lane was invaluable for his career.
"I also think he really likes to be here as well, because I can imagine that this being your life on the road at racetracks for so long, and then all of a sudden stopping it, would feel so unnatural," he said.
"I think it's also great for him to be in it business-wise.
"There's so much opportunity and he's also pushing a lot for me. It's great to know that I have him in my corner backing me for any opportunities."
Four-wheel future beckons
While some might ask the inspiration of why Doohan drives four wheels instead of riding two like his father, there's good reason for the change in path.
"I began riding bikes and I snapped my left leg when I was five-years-old, which I think scared me as well," he said.
"It's something that I still would really like to do. I think road bikes are for me, I'm just too tall and not flexible enough.
"I just couldn't imagine going 360km/h and sliding across the road.
"But from a young boy I really, really did like bikes. I still do."
Doohan has one final F2 race weekend in the United Arab Emirates on November 24 where he'll finish his F2 career.
He will line up again for an F1 free practice session, waiting in the wings of Frenchmen Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, before hopping into the F2 car one more time.
“Abu Dhabi's been kind and also not kind to me, but the pace has always been very strong there," he said.
"I look forward to this ending the year strong, having a good send-off, and trying to definitely get another shoey in the books. That'll be great."