Alpine has announced that reserve driver Jack Doohan will take Esteban Ocon’s place during Friday’s opening free practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix. As per the sport’s current regulations, each Formula 1 team must run a rookie – defined as a driver who has started two or fewer Grands Prix – in two FP1 sessions each campaign.
🚨 | Jack Doohan will be replacing Esteban Ocon for the FP1 session in 🇨🇦 Canada as part of the mandatory rookie outing!
Doohan is currently the reserve driver for Alpine and also reportedly a front-runner to replace Ocon for the 2025 season.#F1 #Formula1 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/QaPDN9IzIl
— Desi Racing Co. (@DesiRacingco) June 5, 2024
Jack Doohan, the 21-year-old Australian, is currently Alpine’s reserve driver. He has made four previous practice appearances as an Alpine junior, gaining experience in Mexico and Abu Dhabi in 2022, and further outings at the same venues in 2023. This weekend’s FP1 session in Montreal will mark his first time driving at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and he expressed excitement about the opportunity. Doohan finished third in the 2023 F2 standings, having won three races during that season.
Doohan’s latest run comes as he pushes to secure a full-time Formula 1 seat with Alpine. The team recently announced that they will part ways with Esteban Ocon at the end of the current campaign, ending a five-year collaboration. With at least one seat available for next season, Doohan aims to impress and potentially secure a permanent spot on the grid. Incumbent Pierre Gasly’s place beyond 2024 remains unconfirmed.
Esteban Ocon to Leave Alpine F1 Team at the End of the 2024 Season
Following a collision between Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, the team has decided to part ways with their long-serving driver. Yesterday, Alpine and Esteban Ocon announced that, by mutual agreement, Ocon would be leaving the team at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Esteban Ocon, 27, joined the Enstone-based team (formerly Renault) in 2020. During his tenure, he achieved several notable milestones, including Alpine’s first Grand Prix win at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. Ocon also secured podium finishes at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix and the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix. His best year-end finish came in 2022 when he placed eighth in the championship standings.
Alpine boss Bruno Famin has been evaluating options for the 2025 driver lineup, and the French manufacturer has decided not to renew Ocon’s contract. While Ocon will continue to race for Alpine for the remainder of the season, he is expected to announce his future plans soon. Ocon expressed gratitude for his time with the team, acknowledging the special place it holds in his professional career.
READ MORE: “It was nice to have a week off” – Lando Norris is Pumped and Ready to Race in Montreal
