When Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso made their retirement known to the world, it was a heartbreaking moment for many. However, their retirement also had an impact on the upcoming F1 race in 2023. This announcement made a couple of seats empty and those had to be filled for the event. Could this really be the moment Jack Doohan, a 19-year-old racer, has been waiting for?

Who Was to Buy the Contract?

At first, it appeared certain that Alpine would purchase Red Bull’s contract with Pierre Gasly, and AlphaTauri would sign IndyCar driver Colton Herta in Gasly’s place. But this was predicated on the FIA making an exemption and awarding Herta a super license even though, theoretically, he wasn’t eligible. According to the FIA’s signals, no exception will be made. However, for that to happen he would need extra points in some winter tournaments, for which Alpine doesn’t have time.

The Possible Candidates

We know there’s a strong Williams offer, but Nyck de Vries will also be a part of a private Alpine test in the coming days in a 2021 vehicle at the Hungaroring. This follows his incredible F1 debut at Monza as a Williams stand-in. Doohan, Nico Hülkenberg, and Antonio Giovinazzi are reportedly among the other candidates lined up for that test. Since there are two empty seats that Alpine has to fill, it has a list of some of its most potential candidates in the running. There are at least six drivers in this scenario—Herta, Gasly, Doohan, de Vries, Hülkenberg, and Giovinazzi—for two slots, and there may be more.

Jack Doohan Might Be the One

When Alpine needed someone who could get the points immediately, Jack Doohan’s name popped up. Son of the motorbike legend Mick Doohan, he is an F2 front runner and an academy driver. His performance at Spa and Silverstone has been marvelous. It could be a little too soon for him, but you never know, this could be the chance the 19-year-old needs.

Despite electric vehicles being more popular than ever, many people still have some questions about them. For one, how does the charging work? We’re breaking down everything you need to know about charging your electric car.

Charging power

The first thing you need to be aware of when it comes to electric vehicles is the types of chargers available to you. They come in a range, starting with the manufacturer-proved basic, right up to superpowered chargers that give you juice in minutes. Most electric vehicle manufacturers will provide you with a charger that uses the regular outlet in your home.

These chargers are typically portable and don’t require installation from an electrician. There are more powerful chargers available than the ones provided by manufacturers, like level 2 chargers that you find in parking lots and public places. Then there are fast and ultra-fast charging options too. Unsurprisingly, the more powerful the charger, the quicker it will charge your vehicle.

Variables

The most powerful chargers can give you a full battery in under an hour, while the standard manufacturer-provided ones can take between 11 to 30 hours. There are also other variables to consider when charging your electric car.

Things like the ambient temperature, time of day, and number of EVs connected to a station can alter the speed. The colder it is outside, the slower your car charges, while more people at a station will also reduce the charging time.

Cost

While EVs might be slower to charge than gas, they are also a lot cheaper. It’s estimated the average cost per kWh is $0.13, so if your battery takes 40 kWs to fill, it will cost $5.20. Another cost that must be considered is the charger itself, if you upgrade from the standard manufacturer’s model, you could spend up to $900. Then you must include the cost of installation, which can be as much as $2,000.

Charging your electric vehicle is quite simple once you know how. So, will you be going electric?