The 2024 Formula 1 season will see one more driver change before the start of the 2025 campaign.
Alpine have confirmed that Esteban Ocon will not race with the team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with 2025 signing Jack Doohan set to make his F1 debut.
Ocon has known that he will leave the Enstone-based outfit since June – when he confirmed that he will be making the switch to Haas in 2025 alongside Oliver Bearman.
Ocon’s sudden Alpine exit comes after he retired from the Qatar Grand Prix after a collision at the first corner. Team principal Oliver Oakes was seen in an exchange with Alpine engineers after the race amid ‘tensions’ between Ocon and the team over previous incidents with his teammate Pierre Gasly.
The Frenchman’s departure allows him to take part in the post-season test with Haas in Abu Dhabi to get to grips with his new surroundings early.
Jack Doohan’s message to Esteban Ocon after replacing him for the Anu Dhabi Grand Prix
Ocon joined the Enstone-based team in 2020—when they were known as Renault—after he took a year out of F1 following his departure from Racing Point. During his time away from full-time racing, he served as Mercedes’ reserve driver.
Rebranding to Alpine in 2021, the 28-year-old grabbed his and the team’s first and only win in F1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix that year. Ocon scored a total of four podiums with the Enstone-based team.
Despite his achievements with the team, Ocon ultimately leaves Alpine on a low note with his retirement in Qatar. Posting on Instagram, the Frenchman expressed that he had intended to race in Abu Dhabi and had even planned a special helmet design to say a proper thank you and goodbye to Alpine after five years with the team.
READ MORE: Haas driver Esteban Ocon’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
But the 28-year-old will not be afforded that chance, with several fans and key figures taking to the comments to offer support for Ocon.
Among those was his replacement Doohan, who sent a heartfelt message to the Frenchman, thanking him for everything he learned from him.
Doohan wrote: “Thank you for taking me under your wing, for the guidance and support. I appreciate you a lot, cheers Esteban.”
Jack Doohan will be immediately under pressure at Alpine to secure sixth in the Constructors’ Championship
Abu Dhabi will be a great opportunity for Doohan to show his talents to Alpine before his full-time assault at F1 in 2025. Doohan has impressed in Abu Dhabi in his time in F2, and the Enstone-based team will be hoping he can continue that form as they battle for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Alpine currently hold that position by just five points over Haas, with RB 13 points behind in eighth.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
640 |
| 2 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
619 |
| 3 |
Red Bull Racing |
581 |
| 4 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
446 |
| 5 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
92 |
| 6 |
Alpine F1 Team |
59 |
| 7 |
Haas F1 Team |
54 |
| 8 |
Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team |
46 |
| 9 |
Williams F1 Team |
17 |
| 10 |
Sauber F1 Team |
4 |
Alpine were propelled up the order after an incredible double podium in Sao Paulo. The Enstone-based team had only scored 14 points in the 20 Grand Prix before that race.
Haas and RB have been more consistently in the points this season and with them arguably having a better package than Alpine, the pressure with be on Doohan straight away to deliver a result and keep the team ahead of their rivals in a battle that means millions for next season.
