Alpine’s reserve driver Jack Doohan will take over Esteban Ocon’s car in the first practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend.
The team announced earlier this week Ocon will leave them at the end of the year and Doohan is considered one of the candidates to replace him. Alpine will fulfil one of its two obligations to run an inexperienced driver in its cars by giving Doohan the opportunity.Doohan said he’s “really excited to get out on track in Montreal for FP1. It will be my first time driving at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which I am looking forward to.”
The 21-year-old spent the last two seasons racing in Formula 2 but is not racing this year. He previously appeared as Alpine’s junior driver in the first practice sessions for the Mexican and Abu Dhabi rounds in 2022 and 2023.
He will have his first run in the team’s A524 chassis this weekend. “I am grateful to the team for the opportunity to get more track time and also familiarise myself with 2024 machinery early in the season,” Doohan continued. “This will also help with the work I am doing in the simulator, particularly at the European rounds.
“My focus will be on doing the best for the team and maximising the session for both drivers, looking at certain test items and understanding the new track surface.”
Alpine confirmed Ocon’s impending departure from the team after his collision with team mate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap of the last round in Monaco. Ocon apologised for the collision.
“A lot has been said in recent days, so I am very much looking forward to driving again and getting back out on track,” said Ocon, who is yet to confirm who he will drive for in 2025.
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ECWDanSelby (@ecwdanselby)
5th June 2024, 12:32
Don’t rate this guy too much tbh. Would be a lot better off with Ocon.
Christopher Rehn (@chrischrill)
5th June 2024, 12:42
That depends, will Doohan drive Gasly off the track? There’s no denying Doohan has never been a champion in junior formula, but he’s a solid contender for wins in every series he raced in, including F3 and F2.
Tristan
5th June 2024, 12:48
His Daddy has paid big bucks and has not been shy in asking, what for if not a seat?
BasCB (@bascb)
5th June 2024, 13:03
Good that they are giving their third/reserve driver a bit of time in the car. Does anyone think he might be a serious consideration to replace Ocon next year though?
Tristan
5th June 2024, 13:12
He has to be, if not then what has he been there for?
SjaakFoo (@sjaakfoo)
5th June 2024, 13:17
To give them money to fill a mostly symbolic position that ultimately doesn’t mean all that much. Maybe he does sim work too in between races, but mostly he’s just there to do F1TV post-shows and otherwise walk around the paddock in an Alpine shirt, I’d imagine.
Tristan
5th June 2024, 13:42
I mean really, who else us Alpine going to attract at the moment anyway, they’re not exactly in a prized position.
Aucra (@craigs)
5th June 2024, 13:52
Bias alert: I’m Australian, so I’d like to see Doohan promoted.
Given that the DR3 redemption arc has crashed, I would expect Daniel to be ‘retired’ at the end of the season, so having a second Australian in would be nice.
Yes, his Dad gives him money and opportunity that others don’t have, but that’s the game.
In F3 and F2 Doohan could be blisteringly fast, but then at times a bit crashy (usually from over driving, rather than into his teammate) and inconsistent. On some days he got his tyres right and others couldn’t touch him. In others he seemed to not get the tyres right.
Overall, as noted Alpine is not the most coveted seat at present, but it is a seat, and I think he’s worth a shot, and at least it would show that being a reserve driver is not just a ticket to turn up and smile for the cameras
SjaakFoo (@sjaakfoo)
5th June 2024, 14:03
Most countries don’t even get a single F1 driver, and you’re out here asking for two, don’t get greedy now ;)
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
5th June 2024, 23:51
Im a little surprised you would make this comment. Sure Alpine is one of the least attractive F1 seats, but this is of course relative. I’d imagine that the vast majority of drivers wanting a seat would rather Alpine than nothing.
Tristan
6th June 2024, 8:47
Ahhh yeah, and Doohan has hung onto the possibility of driving for them put himself in the best position to, doing for them whatever is asked, the possibility is coming up and people are asking if he’ll even be considered…
Would Sainz go to Alpine? Because that’s really the only option that would be more sensible than Doohan.
Shimks (@shimks)
6th June 2024, 16:52
You’re having a laugh, Tristan. Sainz will give Alpine zero consideration. They’re a mess.
@craigs, I’ll support Doohan now that his hair’s grown back. Hopefully Alpine will give him the seat now that they’ve told Ocon to doo one.
Jere (@jerejj)
5th June 2024, 18:16
@bascb He should be, given the testing program he’s been doing, which would otherwise prove useless if he weren’t going to get a drive anyway, not to mention they’d risk losing him altogether, like happened with Piastri.
The Dolphins
5th June 2024, 13:52
Alpine really showing their true colours this week, what a dysfunctional organization.
HAL
5th June 2024, 21:14
Why?
They have to put a junior in each car on e a year, anyway. And it gives some track time to their current test driver who could step in next year…
The timing is probably not innocent, but Ocon certainly deserves a slap on the wrist, and it’s a small one. What should Alpine do? Sing Ocon praise for acting like a spoiled child ?
By the way, Doohan does not have the credential of a Piastri, but he was damn good in the second part of last year season… One of the fastest…. So why not ? Can’t say I’m that impressed by Bearman and Antonelli so far this year in F2.
MacLeod (@macleod)
6th June 2024, 7:48
Seems they really wanted to sack Ocon on the spot but their own lawyers advise not to do this. Seems France Law gives Ocon a second chance So if Ocon do a other Monaco he is fired.
Jere (@jerejj)
5th June 2024, 18:15
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a surprising & rare choice for running a non-race driver, given its semi-temporary nature & limited runoff space.
Waiting until the Spanish GP weekend would be better, but I guess they don’t mind limiting Ocon’s qualifying & race preparations on such a circuit so much anymore.
Greg
5th June 2024, 18:33
Limiting Ocon’s track time also límits potencial damage to Gasly’s car
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
5th June 2024, 19:40
It could be Alpine want to give Esteban some time to rest on the reserve bench, e.g. after the summer break, in which case Jack needs to be ready to drive the car.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
5th June 2024, 18:26
They may offer Daniel R. a seat, now that he’s done at Red Bull pretty much ;-). Stranger things have happened in F1.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
6th June 2024, 0:26
And I’d say he’s done well enough in his previous stint at renault, some impressive quali performance and at least a podium, sometimes he outqualified the 2nd red bull driver.
Jere (@jerejj)
6th June 2024, 7:24
I highly doubt that, especially considering how he left the team, not to mention he isn’t on the same general performance level anymore, so I doubt any team is interested.