IndyCar News: Doohan rejects IndyCar drive, picks F1

Jack Doohan rejected an opportunity to race in IndyCar next season as he remains focused on a career in F1.

Speedcafe revealed Doohan would not return to Formula 2 next season as there is little value in a third year in the feeder category.

“At the moment, I don’t have anything set to race,” he confirmed.

“Had quite a lot of options and in all sub formulas (IndyCar is considered a junior formula to the premier class of motorsports – Formula 1), and inside formulas other than Formula 1.

“So not that the opportunities were shy – Super Formula, IndyCar, Hypercar, whatever it was – I was very fortunate to have those options.

“However, at this point in time, I feel it’s crucial that I focus only on Formula 1, which is heavily provided by Alpine that I’m able to stay within a car.”

Doohan was in the frame for a World Endurance Championship drive with Alpine, though that has not come to pass.

Doohan will remain Alpine’s nominated reserve driver next year, alongside an extensive program in the A522.

“If I wasn’t going to have this extensive program, then for sure I would need seat time, and that would be venturing out somewhere else,” Doohan noted.

Should Doohan not secure a full race program next season, it’s thought a Le Mans outing as part of an expanded Alpine effort at the French classic is on the cards.