Alpine has elected to replace Esteban Ocon with Jack Doohan for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The decision comes after Ocon retired from the Qatar Grand Prix on the opening lap after Nico Hulkenberg collided with him on the opening lap into the first corner.
Speaking to media after the race, it was clear the Frenchman was indicating that it would be his last race for the team and that a switch would happen at the final race ahead of the 2025 season.
It was confirmed earlier this year that Ocon would be leaving Alpine after 2024 to join American team Haas alongside Oliver Bearman, with Doohan set to replace him alongside the incumbent Pierre Gasly.
The decision to replace Ocon came after he expressed desire to take part in the post-season test with Haas, with executive advisor Flavio Briatore cutting a deal that enabled the Frenchman to leave early and to hand the seat to Doohan as they focus on finishing sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes the team is making a massive mistake when discussing the move on the F1 TV post-race show.
Jolyon Palmer thinks Alpine is making ‘catastrophic’ mistake replacing Esteban Ocon for Abu Dhabi
Ocon and Gasly propelled the £700m F1 team Alpine to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship with an unexpected podium in the Sao Paulo GP, but are only five points ahead of Haas after Qatar.
Team principal Oliver Oakes said he was confident that Doohan can handle the pressure at making his debut at such a critical moment of the season, however, Palmer is not convinced it was the right move.
“This just smacks as a catastrophic falling out between the driver and the team. He’s the reason they are in 6th in the Championship,” said Palmer.
“He’s had an incredible turn of pace but if that’s the case then he’s not been at this weekend and there is something else going on.”
Is Jack Doohan getting a one-race evaluation before 2025?
One of the theories behind Doohan getting an early break with Alpine is that the team wants to assess him ahead of 2025.
It comes amid interest at Alpine in Franco Colapinto, who will now no longer be joining Red Bull despite several weeks of speculation that he would replace Liam Lawson at Visa CashApp RB.
READ MORE: Why Red Bull are no longer interested in signing Franco Colapinto despite Sergio Perez’s struggles
If all goes well then Doohan could be assured of his seat, while Jenson Button fears there might be backlash if Alpine decide to drop the Australian.
There is also the added conflict of interest that would be generated by Ocon joining a direct rival next season, and potentially influencing the result in their favour as it could generate millions of pounds extra in prize money.
