In the round-up: Jack Doohan will get his first outing in a Formula 1 car in Qatar this weekend
In brief
Doohan to join Piastri for private Alpine test in Qatar
Alpine academy driver Jack Doohan, formerly a member of Red Bull’s junior team, will get his first opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car tomorrow during the final day of a private test with last year’s Alpine A521 at the Losail circuit in Qatar.
The Formula 2 driver will run the third and final day of the test in the 2021 car on Sunday after the team’s reserve driver Oscar Piastri completed two days of testing on Wednesday and Thursday. Doohan currently sits 17th in the Formula 2 championship with six points.
“I’m super excited to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time,” said Doohan. “This is a moment that I’ve been building up to ever since I started racing karts, and I know these opportunities are extremely privileged.
“I’ve watched behind the scenes at some private tests before and I’ve completed a lot of preparation in the loop simulator at Enstone, so I’m definitely feeling ready for this challenge. I’ll build myself up on the day, enjoy it at the same time and hopefully learn as much as possible alongside the team.”
Di Grassi does not get “big fuss” over jewellery ban
Envision Formula E driver Lucas di Grassi says that he does not understand the furore over the FIA’s strict application of its safety rules over jewellery and fireproof underwear.
Di Grassi was fined €10,000 (£8,850) by the FIA during the Punte del Este EPrix in Uruguay in 2018 after he was found to have won underwear that did not adhere to the FIA’s standards. The former Formula E champion says he does not see why the recent clampdown is proving controversial.
“The rule has been around since forever,” Di Grassi told RaceFans.
“It’s just that it’s more critical now that we are operating with high voltage vehicles – regardless if it’s hybrid or it is fully electric, you have high-voltage…