Home Australia Aussie F1 star Jack Doohan WILL make his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Alpine as Esteban Ocon is released to Haas

Aussie F1 star Jack Doohan WILL make his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Alpine as Esteban Ocon is released to Haas

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Australian driver Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon in the final race of the F1 season

Australian driver Jack Doohan will make his Formula One debut with Alpine at this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

News leaked on Sunday that he would be replacing Esteban Ocon on the grid for the final race of the season, but Alpine officially confirmed the news on Monday morning.

It came when Ocon, who signed for Haas in July, reached an agreement to end his season with Alpine one race early. This brings to an end his five-year stay with the Formula One team, with the 28-year-old set to join young British star Ollie Bearman in the American racing team for 2025.

The Frenchman appears to have received permission from Oxfordshire-based Formula One to end his season early, in order to join Haas for a test event after this weekend’s race.

Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz had broken the news after the Qatar Grand Prix, but on Monday Alpine officially confirmed the news in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Formula One team wrote: “BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that reserve driver Jack Doohan will compete in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in place of Esteban Ocon.

Australian driver Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon in the final race of the F1 season

It comes as Ocon (right) will join Haas, his new 2025 team, for their post-season test event. Doohan (left) will get into the Alpine car for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It comes as Ocon (right) will join Haas, his new 2025 team, for their post-season test event. Doohan (left) will get into the Alpine car for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“The change allows Esteban to be handed over to Haas to drive in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.”

Doohan, 21, will also succeed Ocon as Alpine’s new driver for next season and will partner Pierre Gasly.

Alpine had confirmed the Queenslander would replace Ocon in August, and Doohan spoke of his delight at the news.

“I am very happy to secure promotion to a full-time racing position in 2025 with the BWT Alpine F1 team. I am very grateful for the trust and belief of the team’s senior management,” said the Australian.

‘There is a lot of work ahead to be prepared and ready and in the meantime I will do my best to absorb as much information and knowledge so that I am ready to take the step forward.

“It is exceptionally satisfying to be the first Alpine Academy graduate to be in a racing seat with the team and I am very grateful to those who supported me along the way to make this a reality.

“It’s an exciting moment, a proud day for my family, and I look forward to taking it all in and putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes.”

Doohan, a product of the Red Bull Junior Team, joined Alpine’s academy in 2022 and had been close to landing a seat in the French team last year had it not been for the arrival of Pierre Gasly.

Gold Coast native Doohan will succeed Ocon at Alpine's second spot next season

Gold Coast native Doohan will succeed Ocon at Alpine’s second spot next season

Ocon ended his time at Alpine on a sour note, after crashing at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday during his first lap.

Ocon ended his time at Alpine on a sour note, after crashing at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday during his first lap.

He was subsequently announced as Alpine’s reserve driver for the 2024 season, before receiving his first seat on the main circuit for 2025.

Motorsport also seems to run in his family, as his father Mick was a five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion.

Ocon, meanwhile, ended his time at Alpine on a sour note, after crashing at the Qatar Grand Prix during the first lap.

I think it was the wrong place and the wrong time. Unfortunately, incident in the race,’ he said at the time.

‘Unfortunately it is one incident and a short career for us. It’s not something we wanted, but I would like to thank the team for their hard work during this race and throughout the year.

‘When everything is going well, it’s good to stick together.

“But when things aren’t going so well, the engineers and mechanics stick together and that’s the most important thing.”

‘I already passed Franco. I was on Nico’s left side. I was on the hard tyre, so it was always going to be something like that, but unfortunately it was short for us.

I think it was the wrong place and the wrong time. Unfortunately, incident in the race

I think it was the wrong place and the wrong time. Unfortunately, incident in the race,” Ocon said of his accident.

“It’s important to look forward and see what we can prepare for the future.”

Despite that, Alpine took to social media to thank Ocon after his final race for the team.

They wrote in X: ‘Thank you, Esteban.

“We’ve shared some special memories together and we wish them all the best for their next chapter.”

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