The number of available seats on the Formula 1 grid in 2025 continues to shrink with teams quickly moving to confirm their line-ups for next year.
After Sergio Perez signed a new contract with Red Bull, sister team RB confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda would be staying with the team for next year.
It extends his stay with RB into a fifth season with other teams beginning to circle the Japanese driver.
One of those teams was Alpine who announced after the Monaco Grand Prix that Esteban Ocon would be leaving at the end of the season.
That leaves them with at least one seat to fill for 2025 with Pierre Gasly’s future still undecided at this stage.
One name being floated to replace Ocon is Australian youngster Jack Doohan.
Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel has now told Doohan that he belongs in the Alpine seat next year.
It would mean a trio of Australians would be on the grid in 2025 with Kiwi Liam Lawson attempting to join them.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan? Everything you need to know
Jack Doohan told he belongs in Alpine seat for 2025
The announcement that Ocon would be leaving Alpine at the end of the season was well-timed.
He had just clashed with teammate Pierre Gasly on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, ending his race and risking Gasly’s first chance of scoring points in 2024.
Their relationship has been fractious since before Gasly signed for Alpine at the beginning of last season.
They crashed into each other at the Australian Grand Prix and their collision on the streets of Monte Carlos was the final straw.
Ocon is expected to sign a contract with another team on the grid for next season but that leaves Alpine with a seat to fill.
Many drivers will be hoping to replace Ocon but Doohan was given the first opportunity to state his case in Canada.
He was handed Ocon’s car for FP1 in Canada, however, the treacherous weather limited his opportunity.
Doohan managed an out lap and a practice start before the chequered flag was waved and he’ll be hoping he gets another opportunity later in the season to state his case for a place on the grid.
Coronel has now told Doohan that he belongs in the Alpine car and that vote of confidence won’t do his chances of being on the F1 grid full-time any harm at all.
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Jack Doohan fighting for vacant Alpine seat
Posting on Instagram after the session, Doohan said: “Montreeaalll, where was the sunnn… Unfortunate to not get any running in due to some circumstances outside of our control. Still very grateful to @alpinef1team for the opportunity and look forward to being back in the A524 very soon.”
Coronel replied: “You belong in that car …….. patience mate.”
Alpine have identified Doohan as a serious contender for one of their seats next season.
The trouble for the six-time F2 race winner is that there are plenty of established F1 drivers who might be out of a job for next year as well.
The likes of Kevin Magnussen, Zhou Guanyu and Logan Sargeant are all at risk of being let go by their current teams at the end of the year.
Alpine then have to decide whether to take a risk on a rookie or play it safe with a driver they know will do a solid job in the car.
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