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 Autosport 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 fulltime 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.”
Jack Doohan, Reserve Driver, Alpine F1 Team
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
More to follow…
In this article
Jonathan Noble
Formula 1
Esteban Ocon
Jack Doohan
Alpine
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