Australia’s Jack Doohan will make his Grand Prix debut with Alpine this weekend in place of Esteban Ocon at Haas.
Doohan, the son of motorcycling legend Mick Doohan, has filled the reserve role with the French team for the past two seasons and has participated in six Free Practice sessions in that time.
His promotion frees up Ocon for an early move to Haas, who he will drive for in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Reserve Driver Jack Doohan will race in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in place of Esteban Ocon,” the team shared in a statement. “The change allows Esteban to be released to Haas to drive in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
“Jack, who has already been announced as an official driver for the 2025 season alongside Pierre Gasly, will race with the #61 as his registered Reserve Driver number and will also participate in the end-of-season test for the team at the Yas Marina Circuit.
“The team would like to thank Esteban for his time at the team and he will remain part of the team’s history achieving the first win for Alpine in Formula 1. We wish Esteban the best for the future.”
The move brings an end to a five year stint with the team for Ocon, albeit with the first year under the name Renault, where he achieved four podiums, including a surprise win in the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old drew the ire of Alpine when he came together with teammate Pierre Gasly at the Monaco Grand Prix, and his departure was announced in the weeks following the incident.
Since then, he has finished in the points three times, with his runner-up result in Sao Paulo, combined with Gasly’s third-place, elevating Alpine to sixth in the Driver’s Championship.
Doohan will be behind the wheel for the entirety of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which begins with Free Practice 1 on Friday.
Header Image: Alpine
