Just one race stays within the 2024 Components 1 Grand Prix.
However momentum is constructing in the direction of Jack Doohan making his Alpine debut in that race, the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Feedback within the wake of the Qatar Grand Prix point out that discussions are underway for Esteban Ocon to be launched early from his present contract with Alpine, which is able to permit him to take part within the post-season take a look at at Yas Marina following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Haas. Ocon introduced earlier this season that he was transferring to Haas for the 2025 marketing campaign.
Talking after the Qatar Grand Prix, Alpine Staff Principal Oliver Oakes outlined that such a transfer had been mentioned.
“I don’t suppose there’s been a definitive reply but, but it surely has been talked about,” mentioned Oakes. “It’s clearly barely complicated as a result of, as a lot as he’s ours, he’s clearly contractually a Mercedes junior as nicely, and clearly he’d wish to be launched early as nicely.”
Oakes additionally outlined how the discussions had come from all events, not simply Ocon’s camp.
“I believe it comes from all sides actually. I assume you possibly can say it’s good to get Jack in early, I believe you possibly can say from Esteban’s facet it’s good to maneuver on early,” mentioned Oakes.
“I believe it fits everyone, so I believe the dialogue was fairly pure actually, and I believe Esteban’s been a giant a part of this staff as nicely and from each side it fits one another.”
The Alpine boss additionally brushed apart the notion that such a transfer can be resulting from any frustration on Ocon’s half concerning his last weeks with the staff.
“No, I believe you possibly can say that has an element to play, however I believe actually the larger half is type of a pure evolution actually of he’s transferring on, does it swimsuit each of us to do this only a bit earlier for the final spherical or not? From the opposite facet it’s additionally [that] you possibly can have a look at it because it’s advantageous to get Jack within the staff working with everyone and get these butterflies gone now slightly than subsequent yr in Australia,” mentioned Oakes.
“I believe there’s nonetheless some conversations to undergo tonight and possibly tomorrow morning, however I believe all of it appears [to be] transferring in a path that is likely to be a superb resolution for everyone. Let’s see.”
If Doohan certainly makes his Alpine debut within the season finale, it might come whereas the staff is in the course of a tough battle for sixth within the F1 Constructors’ Championship. In the meanwhile Alpine holds a five-point benefit over Haas in that battle, with 59 factors in comparison with 54 for Haas. Visa Money App RB F1 Staff sits 13 factors behind, with 46 factors on the season.
Pierre Gasly’s emphatic fifth-place end within the Qatar Grand Prix noticed Alpine retake sixth place from Haas, as they misplaced the place within the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Nonetheless, Oakes outlined Sunday in Qatar that an early debut is likely to be the very best for Doohan.
“I believe anybody who will get thrown into an F1 automotive in a race like that, it’s by no means straightforward to guage,” mentioned Oakes. “I believe the issue is you’ve received the benchmark [Oliver] Bearman set, which was phenomenal in Saudi.
“You’ve received – and I imply this in a pleasant means as a result of he’s massively proficient – Kimi [Antonelli] with the type of stress in Monza. However I believe on the finish of the day Jack’s simply received to take it as he finds it.
“I believe he’s skilled sufficient to deal with it. I believe as nicely, when you ease into the weekend with FP1 and FP2, you may construct as much as it as nicely.”
