The official announcement came after the Qatar GP, with the French driver set to miss the last weekend of the year to make way for the young New Zealander, who is confirmed as a full-time driver for 2025.
According to reports, the decision was made mutually between Esteban Ocon and Flavio Briatore. The Évreux native agreed to give up his seat to Jack Doohan for Abu Dhabi to participate in Haas‘ post-season tests scheduled for Tuesday.
Social media message
Following the confirmation of his presence on the Abu Dhabi grid, Jack Doohan posted a message on his X profile to thank Alpine and express kind words for Esteban Ocon.
“I’m thrilled to race in Abu Dhabi this weekend for my first Grand Prix. I’m grateful to Alpine for their trust and for giving me this opportunity,” wrote the young driver.
“I’m also very grateful to Esteban, from whom I’ve learned a lot over the past two years. He has contributed to my growth and development in Formula 1, and I wish him the best for his future. This week, I’m focused on the job at hand and collaborating with Pierre to help the team achieve its goal.”
An opportunity to seize
The Yas Marina weekend will be crucial for Jack Doohan. While his debut in F1 will undoubtedly be emotional, he must also capitalize on the opportunity to impress Alpine.
Although the 2003-born driver already has a contract for 2025, recent weeks have seen rumors suggesting Flavio Briatore isn’t entirely convinced about him. There had been talk of strong interest in Franco Colapinto, but this appears to be fading due to the Argentine driver’s recent performances.
For Jack Doohan, this weekend will be a chance to begin laying the groundwork for next year. Additionally, Alpine remains in contention for sixth place in the constructors’ championship against Haas and Red Bull. Doohan’s contribution will be critical from the start.
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