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Motorsport

Doohan replaces Ocon at Alpine for F1 Abu Dhabi GP

Alpine Jack Doohan Esteban Ocon Abu Dhabi F1 Haas Oliver Oakes Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Alpine has confirmed that Jack Doohan will make his Formula 1 debut for the team in the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

As reported by Motorsport.com after the Qatar race, discussions have been taking place between incumbent Esteban Ocon and the French manufacturer about him standing down for the final event of the season.

The Frenchman has had a troubling time in recent races, despite a podium finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix, and talks had begun about both he and the squad moving on to their 2025 plans early.

A change of drivers now would allow Alpine to get on in preparing Doohan for the step up to a full-time seat next year, while also freeing the way for Ocon to begin work early for his future Haas squad.

It is understood that one of the ways the deal was set in motion was for Alpine to agree to release Ocon for the post-Abu Dhabi tyre test so he could drive for Haas there in exchange for not racing this weekend.

In a press release sent on Monday, Alpine said: “The change allows Esteban to be released to Haas to drive in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.”

Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524 (Photo by: Alpine)

Speaking prior to the announcement being made, Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes explained that the scenario was a win-win for both parties.

“I think it comes from all sides really,” he said. “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.

“I think the discussion was quite natural, really. And I think, honestly, Esteban has been a big part of this team as well.”

An early run for Doohan will be a massive boost in getting a head start in his preparations for next year.

Oakes added: “Does it suit both of us to do that just a bit earlier for the last round, or not?

“And, from the other side, you could look at it as it's advantageous to get Jack in the team, working with everybody, and get those butterflies gone now, rather than next year in Australia.”

As well as racing in Abu Dhabi, Doohan will also take part in the post-season Abu Dhabi test, where we will be able to get further valuable mileage.

Photos from Qatar GP Race

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, attends the drivers parade

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Rio Ferdinand

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, attends the drivers parade

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team, attends the drivers parade

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Zhou Guanyu, KICK Sauber, on the grid with his engineer

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, on the grid

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, on the grid with his engineer

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Start action

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field at the start

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR24, the remainder of the field on the opening lap

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, checks in on Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46, after they took each other out of the race

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Liam Lawson, VCARB 01, spins as Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber C44, takes avoiding action on the opening lap

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24, leaves his pit box after a stop

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Red Bull Racing mechanic

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, collide on the opening lap

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, makes a pit stop

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 01, Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, gets out of the car in Parc Ferme

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Fireworks light the sky as Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, 1st position, celebrates on arrival in Parc Ferme

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, 2nd position, Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, 3rd position, stand on the podium for the podium ceremony

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st position, Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, 3rd position, the Red Bull Racing podium delegate spray champagne in celebration

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Podium ceremony atmosphere

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20

2024 Qatar Grand Prix - Sunday

Formula 1

51

In this article

Jonathan Noble

Formula 1

Esteban Ocon

Jack Doohan

Alpine

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