Esteban Ocon replacement given opportunity to impress in F1 practice session

Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan drove in the first practice for the Canadian Grand Prix in Formula 1 this weekend.

The Australian replaced Esteban Ocon for the one-hour session, who announced he would leave the French team at the end of the season.

Doohan enjoyed a stellar junior career, winning multiple titles in karting before finishing third in the FIA Formula 2 Championship last season.

He solely focuses on his Alpine reserve driver duties without any racing commitments.

The 21-year-old has the potential to be a candidate for the vacant seat at Alpine and has driven plenty of miles in F1 cars.

Alpine has not had a history of trusting rookies since they returned to Formula 1 under the Renault name in 2016.

They collaborated with British rookie Jolyon Palmer in 2016. His season and a half in F1 proved to be underwhelming, and he is the only driver to which the French team has given a Grand Prix debut.

The two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was chosen to partner Ocon ahead of 2021 Alpine FIA F2 driver and Alpine Academy member Zhou Guanyu.

Doohan has been touted as a candidate for the Alpine seat alongside more experienced drivers like Zhou and former Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher.

All 10 F1 teams must run a rookie, a driver who has completed two or fewer Grands Prix, in two FP1 sessions.

Doohan has competed in five practice sessions, adding to his two outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.

Heavy rain around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve disrupted the session, closing the pit lane exit for the opening stages.

Doohan didn't set a timed lap during the first practice and was one of seven drivers not to complete a flying lap on Formula 1's visit to Canada.