Alpine confirm Jack Doohan to race in Abu Dhabi as Esteban Ocon is released

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

It was confirmed back in June that Ocon would depart the Enstone-based outfit after the 2024 campaign, bringing his five-year spell at the team to an end. News later followed that he would switch to Haas in 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 team mate to the incumbent Pierre Gasly – but now the Australian is set to get his first taste of a Grand Prix sooner than originally thought, with his first outing coming in Abu Dhabi.

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, which takes place in the days after the season-ending race.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 looks on in the Paddock — Ocon's five-year spell with the Alpine team has come to an end, with the Frenchman being released early following the Qatar G

A statement from Alpine reads: “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.

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“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.”

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 Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto.

Speaking before the news had been officially confirmed, Alpine boss Oliver Oakes admitted that releasing Ocon early – and allowing Doohan to make his debut in Abu Dhabi – was a scenario that seemed to work out well for all involved.

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Jack Doohan of Australia and Alpine F1 in the Paddock during final — Doohan will make his F1 Grand Prix debut in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

“I think it comes from all sides really,” Oakes said when asked whether discussions over the move had been prompted by the team or from Ocon’s camp. “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 is also confident that Doohan will be able to handle the pressure of making his debut at the season finale, a race that could prove crucial in the constructors’ battle for sixth place between Alpine, Haas and RB.

“I think anyone who gets thrown into an F1 car in a race like that, it’s never easy to judge,” the Team said. “I think the problem is you’ve got the benchmark Bearman set, which was phenomenal in Saudi.

“You’ve got – and I mean this in a nice way because he’s hugely talented – Kimi [Antonelli] with the sort of pressure in Monza. But I think at the end of the day Jack’s just got to take it as he finds it.

“I think he’s professional enough to handle it. I think as well, once you ease into the weekend with FP1 and FP2, you can build up to it as well.”