Jack Doohan Debuts for Alpine at Abu Dhabi

The Alpine F1 team has officially announced that Jack Doohan will step in for Esteban Ocon at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, following Ocon's premature exit at the Qatar Grand Prix due to a collision. This switch is timed with Ocon's impending move to Haas for the next season. Team principal Oliver Oakes noted that this change is advantageous for both drivers; it allows Doohan to gain vital experience before the upcoming season and gives Ocon a chance to prepare for his transition to Haas.

Doohan will be making his debut in Formula 1, racing under the number 61 for this event, while he is set to take on the number 7 in the following season. Ocon's tenure at Alpine included significant achievements, such as securing the team's first F1 victory in 2021, but his season has ended under challenging circumstances. The decision to field Doohan, who lacks prior Formula 1 experience, has sparked discussions, with pundits expressing both concern and validation regarding his chance to gain exposure in the sport amid Ocon's unfortunate end with the team. This situation underscores the evolving dynamics within Alpine as they head into the season finale.