Australian F1 star stranded as Cyclone Alfred wreaks havoc on Gold Coast

Jack Doohan and Daniel Ricciardo share a joke at the Canadian Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

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Australian F1 star stranded as Cyclone Alfred wreaks havoc

The Alpine driver is completing his final preparations ahead of the 2025 season

Kevin McKenna

Thursday 6 March 2025 20:57

Formula 1 star Jack Doohan has been seemingly left stranded ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix later this month due to the impact of Cyclone Alfred.

The 22-year-old is preparing to embark on his first campaign in the sport alongside Pierre Gasly at Alpine, having recently replaced Esteban Ocon in the cockpit.

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The Australian has been a reserve driver with the team since 2023, but has only featured in one grand prix, coming home 15th in the final race of 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

Hopes are high within the Alpine garage that they can pose a threat to the top five in the order this year having overcome early struggles last season to finish sixth in the constructors' standings.

Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan are set to team up at Alpine in 2025

Doohan has made just one appearance in F1 ahead of his rookie campaign

Doohan's Australian GP preparations hit by storm

Doohan's home grand prix is now just a fortnight away, but his plans may well have been thrown into disarray courtesy of a major storm which is set to hit Australia's east coast this week.

Cyclone Alfred will affect some of the country's most populated cities, including Gold Coast and Brisbane, with residents being told to prepare for conditions which could pose a threat to life.

And that warning is set to directly impact Doohan, who only recently touched down in Brisbane Airport - just hours before it was closed.

Albert Park will host the season-opening Australian GP this month

Now, as reported by F1 photographer Kym Illman, the rookie could well be stranded until the cyclone has passed.

Captioning a picture of Doohan, his brand manager and his trainer on X, Illman said: "These 3 are about to experience the full force of Cyclone Alfred on Australia's Gold Coast.

"Alpine driver Jack Doohan is currently on the Gold Coast with his trainer Sergi and his brand manager Max Adams as a powerful cyclone heads towards the coast.

"Jack returned to Australia through Brisbane Airport earlier today just hours before the airport was closed due to the cyclone."

Alpine Australian Grand Prix Pierre Gasly Esteban Ocon Jack Doohan