Alpine has confirmed that Esteban Ocon has left the team, and that Jack Doohan will race in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As RACER reported on Sunday night after the Qatar Grand Prix, Ocon has driven his final race for Alpine and the team has moved to run his 2025 replacement Doohan from the final race of this season. Alpine said the switch frees Ocon up to take part in the post-race test for Haas – the team he is joining in 2025 – and paid tribute to the Frenchman in a short statement.
“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,” the statement read. “We wish Esteban the best for the future.”
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Doohan’s appearance will bring the number of drivers to have raced in Formula 1 this year to 24, joining Oliver Bearman, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo and Logan Sargeant as having completed partial seasons or made substitute appearances.
Doohan will run the number 61 this weekend as his registered reserve driver number, however the Australian rookie has chosen the number seven for his first full season in the sport next year.
By giving Doohan the chance to drive for a full race weekend at a circuit where he has tested in the past, Alpine gets a first look at its rookie driver before the off-season. That opportunity comes following rumors the team could still consider other options for 2025, particularly with Franco Colapinto still seeking a race seat and understood to bring significant financial backing should he be able to secure a full-time drive.