Jack Doohan will make a surprise Formula 1 debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend. That’s after Esteban Ocon agreed to step aside ahead of his move to Haas.
Doohan was expecting his first Grand Prix to be his home race in Australia next March. Alpine confirmed in August that he’d be replacing Ocon as Pierre Gasly’s teammate.
It’s been a remarkable few weeks for the youngster, whose seat had been in doubt despite official confirmation. Doohan was annoyed by paddock rumours that Williams driver Franco Colapinto was going to take his place.
But Flavio Briatore has shown his faith in Doohan by parachuting him into the car earlier. He’s been given a great deal of responsibility, with the Enstone outfit trying to defend a five-point lead over Haas in the battle for P6 in the standings.
Ocon asked Briatore if he could test for Haas on the Tuesday after the Abu Dhabi GP. The Italian, who effectively runs the team, agreed on the proviso that he’d give up his car to Doohan for the race at Yas Marina.
Doohan becomes the 24th driver to take part in this year’s championship, even though there are only 10 teams. Oliver Bearman has featured in three races as a reserve, while Daniel Ricciardo and Logan Sargeant lost their seats mid-season to Liam Lawson and Colapinto respectively.
Daniel Ricciardo has previously expressed his excitement about Jack Doohan
Doohan will also be the third Australian driver to race in 2024. Oscar Piastri is his nation’s next great F1 hope, having scored his first two Grand Prix wins this year.
New arrival Doohan took a fairly conventional route to F1 after heading to Europe, reaching Formula 3 in 2020. He finished runner-up in that championship in 2021 before graduating to F2.
He enjoyed two solid campaigns in that series, collecting six wins, five poles and 11 podiums overall. After his third-place finish last season, he devoted himself fully to his Alpine reserve role.
Speaking in 2022, Ricciardo said Doohan and Piastri had given him confidence that Australia’s F1 future was bright. The former Red Bull driver won eight races and scored 32 podiums before his likely retirement.
“There’s an all-Australian front row with Piastri and Jack, so it looks good for Australian prospects,” he told Motorsport.com. “I’m very happy to see that.”
Oliver Bearman’s message to Jack Doohan ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Doohan partly has Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to thank for his opportunity this week. As a member of his management team, Wolff played a role in Ocon’s exit, holding talks with Briatore and Haas’ Ayao Komatsu.
It’s unclear what Alpine want to see from him this weekend. Perhaps they will take the pressure off and frame it solely as a learning experience, but they will also be able to use highly-rated teammate Gasly as a yardstick.
Bearman offered Doohan encouragement on social media as he shared the news on Monday. They’re sure to renew their Formula 2 rivalry next year.
Alongside those two, Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto will feature in next year’s rookie contingent. F2 title hopeful Isack Hadjar will hope to complete the list at RB.
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