Alpine is reportedly preparing to replace Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Jack Doohan for Formula 1's season finale next week in Abu Dhabi, a move that would mark the 2025 recruit's Grand Prix debut.
Ocon certainly won't retain a lasting memory from his final race with Alpine as the Frenchman retired on the opening lap of the Qatar Grand Prix after a collision involving Franco Colapinto and Nico Hulkenberg.
According to Motorsport.com , Alpine has greenlit Ocon's early transition to Haas to take part in F1's post-season test at Yas Marina, under the condition that he gives up his race seat with the Enstone squad to Doohan for the final race of the year.
The move allows Alpine to give Doohan valuable race experience before next season.
Ocon, who joined Alpine (then Renault) in 2020, achieved a career highlight with a sensational victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
However, his tenure has grown increasingly fraught, with tensions peaking after a contentious on-track clash with Gasly in Monaco earlier this season.
Although the Frenchman contributed to key team results, including a critical 2-3 finish in wet conditions in Brazil, his performance relative to Gasly has been under scrutiny.
The disparity widened during the Las Vegas weekend, where Gasly excelled with a front-row start, and in Qatar, where Ocon qualified 20th while Gasly demonstrated clear dominance.
Tensions between Ocon and Alpine have reportedly simmered for months, and the decision to part ways before the season's conclusion reflects the team's desire for a clean slate.
However, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes says that while talks are underway, an agreement with Ocon has yet to be formally reached between the two parties.
"I think there's been a discussion, there's not been a definitive answer yet, but it has been talked about," Oakes explained in Qatar on Sunday evening. .
"It's slightly complex because as much as he is ours, he's obviously contractually a Mercedes junior driver as well, and obviously he'd like to be released early as well.
"I think it comes from all sides really. 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. So I think the discussion is quite natural really.
"Honestly, Esteban's been a big part of this team as well and, from both sides, it suits each other.
"I think really it's probably that it just seems to suit everybody, and let's have a discussion on it. It doesn't mean it needs to be confirmed either way. I think Toto and Flavio have a really good relationship, so I'm sure they'll do what's right for each other there."
Additionally, the move supports Alpine's long-term strategy to integrate Doohan, solidifying its future lineup after missing out on securing Carlos Sainz for 2025.
His promotion marks the culmination of a deliberate shift within Alpine, aiming to rejuvenate its roster and reset its ambitions for 2025 and beyond.
For Ocon, his move to Haas represents a fresh opportunity to reignite his career, albeit under different circumstances and in a different environment.
Meanwhile, Doohan's debut promises to offer a glimpse of Alpine's future as he faces the high-pressure stage of Formula 1 for the first time.
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