“After the first quarter of the year, I knew there was… let’s say, a rabbit to chase, a possibility that I can fight for this,” the 21-year-old Australian commented.
“There was no given task. There was obviously a lot of people [drivers] that were still out of contract and so much going on, so I had to be very patient and bide my time and really feed my case, make sure I maximised every time I got behind the wheel.
“I’m grateful that the patience paid off, as well as not racing, because that is a risk. But potentially, if I didn’t take that risk, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Doohan will continue in his reserve driver role through 2024, conducting simulator duties and further real-life tests with the A522 F1 car, while Schumacher contests the remainder of the World Endurance Championship for Alpine.