Ocon Exits Alpine; Doohan Set to Replace

Esteban Ocon is set to depart from Alpine ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Jack Doohan anticipated to step into his position. This move comes in the wake of a turbulent season that saw Ocon experience performance issues and conflicts with teammates, particularly concerning his competitiveness relative to Pierre Gasly. After his last race at the Qatar Grand Prix, where he faced yet another setback, Ocon confirmed his future with Haas starting in 2025, thanking his engineers and mechanics for their support throughout a challenging year.

Despite achieving his first grand prix victory with Alpine in 2021, Ocon's role within the team became increasingly precarious, prompting Alpine to consider Doohan’s promotion as they look to reshape their driver lineup. The decision to debut Doohan ahead of schedule appears logical given Ocon's recent struggles and frustrations with the car's performance, despite assurances from Alpine that both drivers were provided with equal equipment. Although an official announcement from Alpine has yet to be made, this impending change was anticipated by team leadership and signals a significant transition for the team as they prepare for the next season.