It’s been known for some time that relations between Alpine and Esteban Ocon were less than ideal. The team announced as early as June 3 that their paths would diverge at the end of the year. That’s fair enough, as the 2024 driver market has seen several high-profile splits, starting with Ferrari parting ways with Carlos Sainz. However, cutting ties before the season’s conclusion is another matter entirely.
The tight battle for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship against Haas (with Alpine currently five points ahead of the American team) has been particularly intense.
On the track, Ocon has consistently fought against what will soon be his new team, doing so impeccably. It was his second-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix two races ago that earned Alpine 18 crucial points in the Constructors’ standings.
Ocon cannot be accused of “letting up” for any ulterior motives. On the contrary, Alpine has long shifted its technical focus exclusively to Pierre Gasly’s car. While it’s understandable for a team to prioritize the driver set to compete in the next championship, it cannot then be surprised by the performance gap between the two cars.
Alpine, however, waited for the perfect moment to part ways with Ocon. That opportunity came when Esteban requested clearance to participate in the collective test session with Haas on the Tuesday following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The French team confirmed it was willing to grant the release, provided Ocon gave up his seat for the Abu Dhabi GP. Behind Alpine’s decision lies its desire to bring forward Jack Doohan’s debut, having already promoted him to a full-time race seat for 2025.
This opportunity is undoubtedly valuable for the Australian, allowing him to begin integrating with the team. However, there’s also a sense that the upcoming weekend at Yas Marina will serve as a real evaluation for Doohan.
After the Brazilian GP, Jack completed a test in Losail in the 2022 car, during which he was benchmarked against Gasly, who was brought in to provide the team with a reference. Team principal Oliver Oakes downplayed the situation, saying, “In the end, I think it’s an opportunity for everyone. It’s positive for Jack to make his debut early, and it’s also advantageous for Esteban to begin testing with his new team ahead of schedule.”
Another new face will appear in the Alpine garage at Yas Marina. Paul Aron, recently announced as the team’s new reserve driver, is a protégé of Oakes and is currently competing in his rookie Formula 2 season with HiTech, a team co-owned by the Alpine team principal.
The 20-year-old Estonian, fresh from his first category win in Losail, casts a shadow that Doohan will need to contend with. If Doohan’s debut at Yas Marina goes well, there will be no reason for concern. However, if it falls short, the months leading up to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix will not be entirely smooth. The Briatore-Oakes management duo seems unafraid to make bold decisions, as evidenced by the Ocon case, and there are still lingering questions surrounding Doohan’s potential within the team.
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