The expectations Oliver Oakes has for Jack Doohan ahead of Alpine debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Jack Doohan will be given his Formula 1 earlier than expected as he replaces Esteban Ocon for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It has been known that the Aussie will be replacing the Frenchman next season since June – when it was announced that Ocon would be heading to Haas alongside Oliver Bearman in 2025.

However, following the Qatar Grand Prix, Alpine have decided to cut ties with the 28-year-old before the season finale after team principal Oliver Oakes was seen in an ‘exchange’ with the team’s engineers following Ocon’s retirement from the race at the first corner.

Ocon’s sudden Alpine exit allows for him to drive with Haas in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. His departure came as a surprise, but it seems it has been in the works for some time.

Karun Chandhok says Alpine had to release Ocon as the situation behind the scenes with the team was a ‘mess.’ The Frenchman has come under fire for numerous incidents with his teammate Pierre Gasly, leading to their decision to bring Doohan’s debut forward.

Oliver Oakes has no expectations for Jack Doohan on his F1 debut in Abu Dhabi

Doohan will become the fourth rookie to race in F1 in 2024 and there will be some element of expectation given how well the likes of Oliver Bearman, Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson have performed in their brief spells in the sport this year.

However, after speaking with team boss Oakes, journalist Matt Coch says that there seems to be no expectation on Doohan in Abu Dhabi as Alpine understand it is ‘a huge ask’ for the Aussie to come in and do a job immediately.

Asked about the expectations on Doohan going into the race in Abu Dhabi, Coch said via the Pit Talk Podcast: “From what I can gather and I asked that question exactly of Oli Oakes, there are no expectations.

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“It’s expected that the first race in a scenario like this is going to be a huge ask of any driver.

“The learning curve is, well, it’s not a curve it’s a wall. It’s going to be virtual for him because it’s not just going out there and knowing the controls of the car, which he should know those backwards given the time he’s spent in the car both in FP1 sessions and the simulator and all that sort of stuff.

“So, that should be more or less second nature to him. But, it’s dealing with that, dealing with traffic, deal with the pressure and then the nuance of the regulations.”

Just how much pressure is Jack Doohan under in Abu Dhabi?

While it appears Alpine do not have any expectations for Doohan, the 21-year-old will be under some pressure to deliver on his debut alongside Gasly.

For much of the 2024 season, the Enstone-based team have had a package that is nowhere near competitive enough for even the middle of the field.

However, heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alpine find themselves in a battle worth millions for next season with Haas and RB for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.

Alpine hold sixth place by just five points over Haas while RB are 13 points behind in eighth. Gasly and Ocon propelled the team up the order after their sensational double podium in Sao Paulo.

Doohan has impressed in Abu Dhabi before from his time in F2 and he will be looking to continue that form into his F1 debut as he will be needed to secure Alpine crucial funds for 2025.