Ocon set for early Alpine exit as Doohan gets Abu Dhabi F1 debut
Esteban Ocon will part ways with Alpine before the season finale, making way for Jack Doohan to compete in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Racing driver in black jumpsuit
The early departure comes as Ocon prepares to join Haas for the 2025 season. His 2024 campaign has been challenging, securing only five points finishes, with his standout result being a second place in Brazil. In comparison, teammate Pierre Gasly has achieved eight point-scoring finishes, including a fifth place in Qatar.
The qualifying battle between the Alpine teammates stands at 12-11 in Gasly's favor, with Ocon managing just one superior qualifying performance in the last five races. His recent struggles, particularly in Qatar where he qualified last while Gasly narrowly missed Q3, have reportedly accelerated discussions about an early release.
Multiple sources indicate that Alpine will officially announce this change on Monday. The decision appears mutually beneficial, allowing Ocon to transition early while giving Doohan, Alpine's reserve driver and confirmed 2025 race driver, an opportunity to gain experience. Doohan was already scheduled to participate in the post-race test in Abu Dhabi.
Team Principal Oliver Oaks acknowledged ongoing discussions, noting the complexity due to Ocon's Mercedes junior driver status. "I think it suits everybody. The discussion was quite natural, really. Honestly, Esteban has been a big part of this team as well. From both sides, it suits each other."
This development comes amid speculation about Alpine's future driver lineup, with Franco Colapinto reportedly bringing significant sponsorship potential for future racing opportunities.