Jack Doohan is set to replace Esteban Ocon during this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix FP1, Alpine has confirmed.
Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan has been handed an F1 drive in this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix and he will be taking over Esteban Ocon’s A524 during Friday’s free practice session in Montreal.
The outing will mark Doohan’s first taste of FP1 action this season although it comes amid intriguing circumstances as he eyes an opportunity to step up to a race seat as Ocon’s replacement at Enstone next year.
The Australian driver is not a stranger to Alpine’s Friday sessions as he was offered a drive in Mexico and Abu Dhabi last season, meeting the requirement set by Formula 1 that mandates teams to run a young driver in at least two practice sessions every season.
Doohan is a member of the Alpine academy and is the favourite to secure the seat in 2025. He is currently focusing on reserve and simulator duties for the team this year after electing not to continue in F2, hoping that a strong performance for the team will boost his chances of getting the nod for 2025.
“Really excited to get out on track in Montréal for FP1,” said the 21-year-old. “It will be my first time driving at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, which I am looking forward to.
“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. This will also help with the work I am doing in the simulator, particularly at the European rounds.
“My focus will be on doing the best for the team and maximising the session for both drivers, looking at certain test items and understanding the new track surface.”
The decision to give Doohan a run in Ocon’s car comes after Alpine’s disappointing Monaco Grand Prix, where a first-lap crash between Pierre Gasly and his teammate resulted in the latter’s retirement prompting team boss Bruno Famin to threaten Ocon with ‘consequences’.
Ocon is set to leave from the Alpine squad at the end of this season, albeit Famin claimed the decision was not based in wake of the Monte Carlo incident. The team boss made no mention of any relation to the events in Monaco when he announced the plans for Doohan.
“In Canada, we have decided to use the first mandatory young driver Free Practice 1, with Jack Doohan in the car in place of Esteban, giving him the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the A524,” Famin said.
“With Jack’s great work in the simulator in recent races, we can count on his valuable feedback in Montreal.”
