Doohan impresses in test drive for Alpine team place

Jack Doohan's hopes of a Formula One seat next season have risen after a test drive for the Alpine team - but Germany's Mick Schumacher also made a good impression

"The test went well for both of them, to be honest," Alpine team boss Bruno Famin said.

Australian Doohan, 21 son of five-time 500cc motorcyle world champion Mick, who is Alpine's official reserve driver, drove in a test in Le Castellet, France, on Wednesday.

Schumacher, a Mercedes reserve driver who also competes for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship, followed on the French track.

"They had a pretty similar programme and both did very well. That's great for both of them," added Famin.

He left open whether either of them had gained an advantage in the battle for Esteban Ocon's vacant cockpit seat next season at the French team.

"They are both on the list and the list is still quite long. More than three names," Famin said.

In addition to Doohan and Schumacher, the son of F1 icon Michael who drove for Haas for two seasons until the end of 2022, Carlos Sainz is seen as one of the main candidates.

The Spaniard will have to vacate his seat at Ferrari next year for Mercedes driver and joint-record world champion Lewis Hamilton. Sainz previously drove for Alpine's previous incarnation Renault in 2017 and 2018.