Earlier this week, Alpine and Esteban Ocon announced they would part ways after the end of the 2024 F1 season. The announcement sparked speculation as to who would replace Ocon next year.
Now one of the leading candidates will be driving along the A524 for the first time.
Alpine announced on Wednesday that the team’s reserve driver, Jack Doohan, would replace Ocon in first practice on Friday. Doohan is one of many candidates to replace Ocon next year, and the Australian driver said he was “excited” and “grateful for the opportunity.”
“I’m really looking forward to getting out on track in FP1 in Montreal. It will be my first time driving on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve so I’m very excited,” Doohan said during the team’s media preview for the Canadian Grand Prix. “I’m grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to get more track time and get familiar with the 2024 car early in the season.”
“This will also help with the work we are doing in the simulator, especially for the European rounds. My focus will be to do the best for the team and get the most out of both drivers’ sessions, check specific test items and understand the new track surfaces.”
Team principal Bruno Famin praised Doohan for his work with the team in the simulator and explained how his feedback after FP1 will be crucial as Alpine looks to climb the constructors’ championship standings.
“In Canada, we decided to hold the mandatory Free Practice 1 for our young drivers, putting Jack Doohan in the car instead of Esteban and giving him the opportunity to get behind the wheel on the A524,” said Famine. “Jack has done some great work in the simulator in recent races, so we can expect some valuable feedback from him in Montreal.”
As outlined above, Doohan is one of the candidates Alpine is considering for the 2025 season – Alpine’s World Endurance Championship driver Mick Schumacher is another, along with various other drivers on the current grid – but for Doohan, this FP1 session is a golden opportunity for a young driver to have a shot at a seat in 2025.
