With the driver situation at Alpine becoming increasingly contentious, Jack Doohan is an option for the French team’s 2025 F1 lineup.
Amidst Ferrari and McLaren’s resurgence at the front, another story gathered steam at the Monaco GP. This was the story surrounding Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who made contact on the first lap. The incident was quickly followed by a 10-second time penalty for Ocon, converted to a five-place grid penalty for the Canadian GP. Perhaps more importantly, this clash between Alpine’s teammates has exposed some of the internal dynamics at Enstone.
Ocon already in talks with other F1 teams
For several months now, Esteban Ocon has been linked with a move away from Alpine. After spending half a decade with the team, the Frenchman has not seen any sustained progress. Their strong start to the 2022 regulations has been followed by progressively worse seasons.
Moreover, there have been far too many departures from Alpine’s senior personnel. Otmar Szafnauer and Marcin Budkowski (not to mention Alonso or Piastri) are some of the most recent casualties.
Ocon made clear in Alpine’s pre-season launch that he still sees himself as a Mercedes junior. Reports have only ramped up in recent months about Ocon’s exit, with the likes of Haas and Sauber (depending on what Carlos Sainz decides) potential options for 2025.
Jack Doohan emerges as 2025 contender
Last weekend’s incident in Monaco was followed by some very stern declarations from team principal Bruno Famin. For the past week, speculation has spread about the “consequences” the team will decide for the 27-year-old.
Regardless of the action taken, relations between the two parties are clearly at an all-time low. Alpine was nowhere near as harsh – certainly not publicly – when Pierre Gasly put himself and Ocon into the wall in Australia last season.
From this perspective, it is clear that Alpine’s reaction to the Monaco GP clash is motivated by several factors beyond the race track. Ocon’s exit from the team is not guaranteed but it is certainly likely. He himself has already been exploring other options for some time.
Therefore, Bruno Famin’s team must look at alternatives.
One of the most obvious options is Jack Doohan, someone who has already received praise from Bruno Famin. Doohan is Alpine’s most promising junior, especially with Victor Martins struggling this year in Formula 2.
Doohan has completed hundreds of laps for Alpine this year in F1 tests as part of his reserve driver duties. Although there are other established drivers on the market, it cannot be said that Enstone is a hugely attractive destination – especially for drivers who have the luxury of alternatives.
Moreover, a big-name signing could only heighten scrutiny on the team. Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso’s arrivals, whilst a boost from a performance standpoint, only highlighted the French outfit’s lack of progress.
In this sense, Jack Doohan is someone to watch. The internal environment at Alpine is making Doohan one of the team’s leading choices for 2025.
