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Alpine has expressed confidence in its reserve driver, Jack Doohan, announcing he will drive in Canada this weekend.
Jack Doohan testing for Alpine (Image Credit: @F1RetroOldie on X)Alpine’s challenging 2024 season continued unabated in Monaco. The Enstone-based team enjoyed one of its most competitive qualifying performances of the season in the principality. Gasly and Ocon lined up P10 and P11 for the race.
After a competitive first few corners, Gasly was running inside the points. Team orders were in play, explicitly stating that the driver behind his teammate must fall back in the race.
Pierre Gasly was ahead of Esteban Ocon when the cars reached Portier. However, Ocon dived down the inside on the exit of the corner ahead of the tunnel. The two Alpine cars collided, launching Ocon into the air. His car crashed back down, and he was an instant retirement. Gasly continued with car damage, scoring his first point of the year.
Ocon’s future was subject to fevered speculation in the immediate aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix. Team Principal Bruno Famin said the team would have to take “drastic action” ahead of Canada. The news broke earlier this week that Ocon would leave the team at the end of the 2024 season.
A timely coincidence?
With a seat now free at Alpine, the F1 driver market features another player. Fresh from the news of Ocon’s impending departure, Alpine has announced its reserve driver, Jack Doohan, will drive the A421 in Friday’s first practice session in Canada this weekend.
As reported by motorsport.com, Bruno Famin confirmed Doohan’s participation in a short statement stating that the Australian’s feedback would benefit the team: “With Jack’s great work in the simulator in recent races, we can count on his valuable feedback in Montreal.”
Doohan himself said he was “grateful” to be driving the A524:
“I am grateful to the team for the opportunity to get more track time, and also familiarise myself with 2024 machinery early in the season.”
Ocon arrives in Montreal, knowing that his days with the team are numbered. As he begins to look to a future away from Alpine, the Frenchman said on social media that he was “saddened” by the abuse he has received. After a challenging couple of weeks, he now seeks to draw a line under the incident.
Arriving in Canada, Ocon says his focus has shifted to now firmly “on track” action: “A lot has been said in recent days, so I am very much looking forward to driving again and getting back out on track. My focus and energy is fully dedicated to the team and maximising our results on track, starting already this weekend in Canada.”
Feature Image Credit: @CollectifAlpine on X
