Alpine announced on Monday it is parting ways with Esteban Ocon early and handing Jack Doohan a surprise debut at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Talk emerged late Sunday evening from the Qatar GP paddock that Alpine was considering an early swap with Ocon, who is heading to Haas in 2025 on a multi-year deal and Doohan, who had already signed to be Pierre Gasly’s team-mate next year.
Ocon has cut a frustrated figure of late, convinced something is up with his Alpine machine amid his team-mate Pierre Gasly’s superior form.
Alpine has denied this, but all parties have agreed that it’s better for the future if everybody gets a jump start on their 2025 plans.
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Reserve Driver Jack Doohan will race in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in place of Esteban Ocon,” Alpine stated.
“The change allows Esteban to be released to Haas to drive in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
“Jack, who has already been announced as an official driver for the 2025 season alongside Pierre Gasly, will race with the #61 as his registered Reserve Driver number and will also participate in the end-of-season test for the team at the Yas Marina Circuit.
“The team would like to thank Esteban for his time at the team and he will remain part of the team’s history achieving the first win for Alpine in Formula 1.
“We wish Esteban the best for the future.”
Decision ‘comes from all sides’ says Alpine boss
Reflecting on the now confirmed rumours on Sunday, Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes spoke on how the decision was mutually being agreed.
“It’s slightly complex because as much as he is ours, he’s obviously contractually a Mercedes junior driver as well, and obviously he’d like to be released early as well,” Oakes said.
“I think it comes from all sides really. I guess you could say it’s good to get Jack in early.
“I think you could say from Esteban’s side it’s good to move on early. I think it suits everybody.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who manages Ocon’s affairs said “for the benefit of the future, there’s a better solution that allows Esteban to get ready early and better for Haas.”
Talk of Doohan replacing Ocon in 2024 isn’t new.
After the Frenchman clashed with his team-mate on Lap 1 of the Monaco GP in May, then-Team Principal Bruno Famin threatened to replace Ocon with Doohan next time out in Canada as punishment.
That didn’t come to pass, but it wasn’t long after that Monaco crash that Ocon and Alpine announced they’d part ways at the end of this season.
Ocon didn’t float on the driver market for long, announcing his multi-year deal at Haas amid the Belgian Grand Prix weekend at the end of July.
READ MORE – Alpine reveals all parties aligned on expected Esteban Ocon F1 exit
