- Australian youngster Jack Doohan is set to make his F1 debut early
- Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon left his team on Monday
- Australia will have two drivers on the F1 grid at the next GP in Abu Dhabi
Aussie Jack Doohan, the son of legendary motorcycle racer Mick Doohan, will make his debut for Alpine next week after Esteban Ocon retired following Monday morning’s race in Qatar.
Ocon is leaving Alpine after five years to join Haas in 2025, but was expected to complete the 2024 season by attending the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend.
However, on Sunday evening it was announced that Australian rookie Doohan, 21, would race for Alpine in the UAE instead of Ocon.
Therefore, Ocon’s last appearance for his current team will be a very disappointing one at the Qatar GP where he crashed on the opening lap.
He was eliminated after contact with Nico Hulkenberg, the man he will replace at Haas.
After Sunday’s crash, Ocon said: ‘It was the wrong place, the wrong time, I think. Unfortunately a racing incident.
Rookie Jack Doohan will replace Ocon, starting at next weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP in the UAE
Esteban Ocon pictured on Sunday after ending his Alpine career due to a crash in the Qatar GP
“I think we were all on the outside and starting to get pretty narrow. And unfortunately we were already off the track when the collision occurred.
‘Unfortunately it is an incident and a short race for us. Not something we wanted, but I would like to thank the team for their hard work during this race and their hard work throughout the year.
‘When things are going well, it’s good to stick together.
‘But when things don’t go well, the engineers and mechanics stay together and that is the most important thing.
‘I’ve already passed Franco. I sat on Nico’s left. He was on the hard side [tyre] so it was always going to be something like that, but unfortunately short-lived for us.
‘It is important to look ahead and see what we can prepare for the future.’
Alpine had already confirmed in August that Doohan would replace Ocon next year.
Doohan responded at the time, saying: “I am so pleased to have been promoted to a full-time racing seat in 2025 with the BWT Alpine F1 Team. I am very grateful for the trust and belief of the team’s senior management.
Ocon collided with Nico Hulkenberg on the opening lap of Sunday’s race in Lusail City
Jack Doohan and his girlfriend Ebony Zippora Gold
‘There is so much work to be done and prepared and in the meantime I will do my best to absorb as much information and knowledge as possible to be ready for the step up.
“It is extremely satisfying to be the first Alpine Academy graduate to sit in a racing seat with the team and I am extremely grateful to those who have supported me along the way to make this a reality.
“It’s an exciting moment, a proud day for my family, and I’m looking forward to taking it all in and getting to work hard behind the scenes.”
Doohan, whose father Mick is a five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion, had a successful career in Formula 3 and Formula 2 before becoming Alpine’s regular reserve driver and impressing team boss Oliver Oakes.
The rising Australian talent finished second in the 2021 F3 Championship and finished third in the F2 rankings last year, when he took six wins and five pole positions.
Doohan has been a reserve driver at Alpine for the past two years, after compatriot Piastri left the French team and joined McLaren.
The Formula 1 season ends on Monday December 9 during the Abu Dhabi GP.