BWT Alpine Formula One Team has announced a driver change for the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi. The move takes place as the team prepares for the 2025 season.
Alpine announced on Monday that reserve driver Jack Doohan will take over for Esteban Ocon on Deb. 8. He will pilot the team's second entry as he prepares for a full-time role next season. Meanwhile, Ocon will step down from the team so that he can join Haas F1 Team for the end-of-season test.
"BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Reserve Driver Jack Doohan will race in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in place of Esteban Ocon," Alpine said in a statement. "The change allows Esteban to be released to Haas to drive in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
TEAM STATEMENT@jackdoohan33 will race at the #AbuDhabiGP in place of Esteban Ocon pic.twitter.com/EcdCZrZTJA
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) December 2, 2024
"Jack, who has already been announced as an official driver for the 2025 season alongside Pierre Gasly, will race with the (No. 61) as his registered Reserve Driver number and will also participate in the end-of-season test for the team at the Yas Marina Circuit.
"The team would like to thank Esteban for his time at the team and he will remain part of the team's history achieving the first win for Alpine in Formula 1. We wish Esteban the best for the future."
Ocon's departure from Alpine after four seasons and one win has been in the works since the summer. Haas F1 announced in July that the Frenchman had signed a multi-year deal to become teammates with Oliver Bearman.
Alpine later confirmed that Doohan would take over as its second full-time driver for 2025. The Australian will become teammates with Pierre Gasly, who signed a multi-year contract extension in June.
Doohan has yet to compete in a Grand Prix. However, he has taken part in several free practice sessions and tests while serving as the reserve driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.