It seems like Esteban Ocon’s Alpine career is at a premature end. The French racing driver was forced to retire early at the Qatar Grand Prix after colliding with Franco Colapinto and Nico Hulkenberg in the opening lap at the Lusail Circuit. While unconfirmed, the latest reports suggest it was the 28-year-old’s last appearance with the racing team as Formula 2 star Jack Doohan will take his seat for the season-finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

Having spent five seasons at Alpine (then Renault), it’s not exactly the farewell Ocon had in mind going into the penultimate race of the season. However, with a multi-year contract with Haas already signed, the 28-year-old had his hands tied ahead of the race at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Esteban Ocon could watch Abu Dhabi GP from the sidelines

Esteban Ocon has had quite a frustrating season. Apart from the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix where he finished second, the racing driver has had little to celebrate about this year. With just five top-ten finishes in 22 races, it’s no surprise that his time at Alpine is coming to an end, as results have left much to be desired, especially in comparison to his teammate Pierre Gasly. During qualifying in Qatar, the 28-year-old was almost a second slower than his fellow Alpine driver and cited car discrepancy as the reason for his recent struggles.

While the team has denied such claims, Gasly has received an upgraded front wing and nose, which may have been the reason for his performance improvement. However, Esteban Ocon’s demeanor in the post-race interview in Qatar had an air of finality to it, as he said, “I would like to thank the team for their hard work over this race and their hard work over the whole year. When it’s not going so well, the engineers and the mechanic have stuck together, and that’s the most important thing. It’s important to look ahead and see what we can prepare for the future.”

It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Ocon’s relationship with Alpine has been strained beyond repair in recent months. With Jack Doohan already lined up as a replacement, the team made a logical choice of giving the Formula 2 driver a chance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Reports suggested that the French racing driver would not get permission to train with Haas in the post-Abu Dhabi sessions if he didn’t agree to sit out of the race, which seems to be the reason for Esteban Ocon agreeing to his team’s demands.

Alpine has plenty to fight for, even though just one race is remaining before the Formula 1 season ends. As things stand, the team is five points ahead of Haas in the Constructors Championship thanks to Gasly’s fifth-place finish in Qatar. While expecting Doohan to make an instant impact may be unrealistic, the team is hoping that the Australian gets some valuable experience ahead of his rookie 2025 F1 campaign next year. As for Ocon, he’s expected to watch the race from the sidelines, before joining up with his new team in the post-Abu Dhabi test.

Alpine team principal all but confirms talks for early switch

Jack Doohan has plenty to look forward to. The Australian racing driver had not expected to make his Formula 1 debut four months earlier than expected, but could now feature in the Alpine car at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 21-year-old comes in with high expectations having  finished third in the F2 Drivers’ Championship with Invicta Virtuosi Racing in 2023, winning three races. 

With the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on Doohan at the Yas Marina Circuit, as he takes on the big boys. Even though Alpine has not officially announced the decision, team principal Oliver Oakes has all but confirmed the switch.

Confirming that he has already spoken to Alpine’s executive director Flavio Briatore and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, Oakes said, “I don’t think there’s been a definitive answer yet, but it has been talked about. It’s obviously slightly complex because, as much as he is ours, he’s obviously contractually a Mercedes junior as well, and obviously he’d like to be released early as well… I guess you could say it’s good to get Jack in early, I think you could say from Esteban’s side it’s good to move on early. I think it suits everybody.”

Even though Esteban Ocon is a driver from Mercedes’ program, the Silver Arrows are not expected to cause any problems ahead of the premature switch. Revealing that conversations have taken place about the Frenchman’s prospects, Toto Wolff said, “I think first of all there’s a contractual relationship that Esteban and we have with Alpine on driver services and that contract expires at the end of the year.” Wanting what’s best for their driver will be the team’s top priority, and given his strained relationship with Alpine, it might be in the 28-year-old’s best interest to move on earlier than expected.