Only one race remains in the 2024 Formula 1 Grand Prix.
But momentum is building towards Jack Doohan making his Alpine debut in that race, the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Comments in the wake of the Qatar Grand Prix indicate that discussions are underway for Esteban Ocon to be released early from his current contract with Alpine, which will allow him to participate in the post-season test at Yas Marina following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Haas. Ocon announced earlier this season that he was moving to Haas for the 2025 campaign.
Speaking after the Qatar Grand Prix, Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes outlined that such a move had been discussed.
“I don’t think there’s been a definitive answer yet, but it has been talked about,” said Oakes. “It’s obviously slightly complex because, as much as he is ours, he’s obviously contractually a Mercedes junior as well, and obviously he’d like to be released early as well.”
Oakes also outlined how the discussions had come from all interested parties, not just Ocon’s camp.
“I think it comes from all sides really. I guess you could say it’s good to get Jack in early, I think you could say from Esteban’s side it’s good to move on early,” said Oakes.
“I think it suits everybody, so I think the discussion was quite natural really, and I think Esteban’s been a big part of this team as well and from both sides it suits each other.”
The Alpine boss also brushed aside the notion that such a move would be due to any frustration on Ocon’s part regarding his final weeks with the team.
“No, I think you could say that has a part to play, but I think really the bigger part is sort of a natural evolution really of he’s moving on, does it suit both of us to do that just a bit earlier for the last round or not? From the other side it’s also [that] you could look at it as it’s advantageous to get Jack in the team working with everybody and get those butterflies gone now rather than next year in Australia,” said Oakes.
“I think there’s still some conversations to go through tonight and maybe tomorrow morning, but I think it all seems [to be] moving in a direction that might be a good solution for everybody. Let’s see.”
If Doohan indeed makes his Alpine debut in the season finale, it would come while the team is in the middle of a hard fight for sixth in the F1 Constructors’ Championship. At the moment Alpine holds a five-point advantage over Haas in that fight, with 59 points compared to 54 for Haas. Visa Cash App RB F1 Team sits 13 points behind, with 46 points on the season.
Pierre Gasly’s emphatic fifth-place finish in the Qatar Grand Prix saw Alpine retake sixth place from Haas, as they lost the position in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Still, Oakes outlined Sunday in Qatar that an early debut might be the best for Doohan.
“I think anyone who gets thrown into an F1 car in a race like that, it’s never easy to judge,” said Oakes. “I think the problem is you’ve got the benchmark [Oliver] Bearman set, which was phenomenal in Saudi.
“You’ve got – and I mean this in a nice way because he’s hugely talented – Kimi [Antonelli] with the sort of pressure in Monza. But I think at the end of the day Jack’s just got to take it as he finds it.
“I think he’s professional enough to handle it. I think as well, once you ease into the weekend with FP1 and FP2, you can build up to it as well.”
