F1 REPORT: F1 star 'LEAVES team' after DISASTROUS Qatar Grand Prix...read more

F1 star ‘LEAVES team’ after disastrous Qatar Grand Prix

Esteban Ocon’s time with Alpine Formula 1 has reportedly come to an abrupt end after a disappointing Qatar Grand Prix in 2024. Ocon, who will be moving to Haas in 2025, did not finish the race after a collision with Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg on the opening lap, leading to an early retirement. According to Sky F1 pundit Ted Kravitz, Ocon’s exit from the team will happen sooner than expected, as he will not race for Alpine at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend. Instead, Jack Doohan, who had already been confirmed as Ocon’s full-time replacement for 2025, will make his F1 debut early in the final race of the season.

Kravitz revealed that this development is not a result of Ocon being sacked but rather a mutual agreement between the driver and the team. Ocon reportedly asked Alpine’s key decision-maker, Flavio Briatore, for permission to participate in the post-season test for Haas after the Abu Dhabi GP. In response, Briatore proposed a deal: Ocon could take part in the test for Haas if he agreed not to race in Abu Dhabi, thus allowing Doohan a head start with the team ahead of the 2025 season.

This decision comes at a critical moment for Alpine, who are in a tight battle for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, a position that carries significant financial rewards. While Doohan is a promising young talent, his lack of F1 experience could pose a risk to Alpine’s chances of securing vital points in the final race. Nevertheless, the team seems willing to take that gamble in order to prepare for the future with their new driver.

Ocon’s departure from Alpine caps off a tumultuous season for both the driver and the team, with the Frenchman moving on to a fresh challenge at Haas next year. However, the circumstances surrounding his early exit from Alpine have added an unexpected twist to the end of his tenure with the team. Jack Doohan, meanwhile, will be eager to seize the opportunity to impress in his debut race at Abu Dhabi, as he takes the wheel for Alpine ahead of his first full season in Formula 1.