Australian Jack Doohan, son of motorcycle legend Mick, is set to make his Formula One debut for Alpine at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. The Renault-owned team announced on Monday that Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon, who has signed with Haas. This move allows Ocon to participate in the post-season test at Yas Marina next week and prepares Doohan for his full-time race driver role next season.
Doohan, 21, will join French driver Pierre Gasly at Alpine, which is currently engaged in a tight battle with Haas for sixth place in the championship. Alpine extended their lead over Haas by five points after Gasly finished fifth at the Qatar Grand Prix. Ocon, who won a race for the team in Hungary in 2021, was forced to retire after a collision at the start.
Doohan will debut with his reserve driver number 61 and will also take part in the end-of-season test. The decision to switch drivers was foreshadowed after the race in Lusail, with team boss Oliver Oakes stating that it would benefit all parties involved. Oakes noted that this early debut would help Doohan "get those butterflies gone now rather than next year in Australia," where the 2025 season will kick off on March 16.
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