Alpine confirm Doohan to race in Abu Dhabi

Alpine have confirmed that Jack Doohan will be making his F1 race debut earlier than expected in the season closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the team releasing Esteban Ocon in a deal that allows the French driver to participate in the post-season test for new team Haas.

It was confirmed back in June that Ocon would be departing the Enstone-based team after the 2024 season, bringing his five-year spell at the team to an end.
News later followed that he would be switching to Haas for 2025, where he will be partnered by rookie Ollie Bearman.

Alpine, meanwhile went on to confirm that reserve driver Doohan would become part of their line-up next season as teammate to the incumbent Pierre Gasly – but now the Australian is set to get his first taste of a Grand Prix sooner than thought.

While this means that Ocon will not be a part of the 58 lap finale, he will still get to put in some mileage at the Yas Marina Circuit when he gets behind the wheel for Haas at the end of season test.

It comes after Ocon faced a difficult weekend in Qatar, having lined up at the back of the grid before seeing his race end at the first corner following a Lap 1 collision with Hulkenberg and Colapinto.

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. 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.
Alpine’s Statement.

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, so I think the discussion was quite natural really, and I think Esteban’s been a big part of this team as well and from both sides it suits each other.
Oakes on whether the move was prompted by the team or Ocon’s camp.