Jack Doohan Confirmed to Race for Alpine at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Jack Doohan is slated to join Pierre Gasly at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, stepping in for Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the season’s concluding race this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Australian driver has already secured a contract to compete for Alpine alongside Pierre Gasly, who is Ocon’s current team-mate, starting in 2025. This decision to bring Doohan in ahead of schedule is part of an arrangement that permits Ocon to participate in a post-season test with his future team, Haas, also in Abu Dhabi, on December 10. Although Ocon’s contract with Alpine extended until the close of the year, his early release for one race is advantageous for all involved. This arrangement provides Doohan, who is the son of five-time MotoGP champion Mick Doohan, with an opportunity to accumulate experience during a grand prix weekend prior to the commencement of next season, which begins with his home grand prix in Melbourne from March 14-16. Furthermore, it enables Ocon to familiarize himself with Haas’ team and vehicle before commencing his winter preparations alongside the squad. The relationship between Ocon and Alpine has deteriorated over the current season, culminating in the team’s decision to part ways with the Frenchman following his collision with Gasly during the opening lap of the Monaco Grand Prix. An official statement from Alpine declared: “He will remain part of the team’s history (after) achieving the first win for Alpine in Formula 1. We wish Esteban the best for the future.” Over his five-year tenure with the team, which operated as Renault and subsequently as Alpine from 2021, Ocon secured victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix and achieved two additional podium finishes: a third-place result in Monaco in 2023 and a second-place finish in Brazil this year.