Jack Doohan is an option to replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine
Alpine team manager Bruno Famin has coyly indicated that Jack Doohan is on the potential list of Esteban Ocon's replacements at Alpine next year.
Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan is among the options to replace Esteban Ocon at the French team next year, as his contract is expiring and not being renewed. This was indicated by team director Bruno Famin in an interview with Sky Sports, on the eve of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Jack is an option, of course. We are preparing him. He has a quite busy testing schedule and we are satisfied. Let’s see how he evolves. It’s a possibility among others, but it’s a possibility, that’s for sure,” he revealed, refusing to indicate whether or not it was their preferred option for 2025.
« My dream is to be on the grid »
Aged 21, the son of the five-time motorcycle world champion, Michael Doohan, has youth on his side and some experience with Alpine, as he has driven a lot with the 2021 single-seater and completed two days of testing with the 2022 one. The Australian feels ready to take the leap into F1.
« It is difficult to say anything with certainty in Formula 1,” said Alpine’s reserve driver, as reported by AutoHebdo.fr. « My dream is to be on the grid, my dream is to be in Formula 1. I am here with the team as a reserve driver and I am preparing to be in the car.
Note that Pierre Gasly is also waiting for the extension of his contract with Alpine.
A team briefing in Spain?
Bruno Famin also commented on the team order at the Canadian Grand Prix, which asked Esteban Ocon to let Pierre Gasly pass on the penultimate lap, allowing him to secure 9th place, the best result for the team this year.
If this instruction has not failed to provoke the anger of Esteban Ocon, Bruno Famin surely does not regret this decision and could repeat it this weekend if the opportunity arises.
« It was our first double points finish of the season thanks to a well-managed race in extremely difficult conditions. We were strong operationally and we turned our distant grid positions into a reward at the end of the weekend, reports Auto-moto.com.
We made decisions prioritizing the team’s best interests. Sometimes it pays off, other times not, and we will not change our approach to maximize the team’s result when possible.
Remains to be seen if Esteban Ocon will once again have to give up his seat for the Spanish Grand Prix…
