With Alpine experiencing one of their worst years in recent memory, there are a lot of unknowns for the future. One of the uncertainties at Alpine is their driver lineup for next season, which is still unconfirmed. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are not guaranteed to continue at Enstone, heightening the importance for Bruno Famin to prepare for the possibility of departures.
Only weeks into the season, Bruno Famin spoke candidly about his driver lineup. With Alpine languishing at the back of the field, the French team principal admitted that losing one of his drivers for 2025 was a possibility.
In this scenario, he explained that academy drivers were available to fill any vacancies. Specifically, Jack Doohan was mentioned as a key asset for the team. The Australian is currently fulfilling his duties as a reserve driver. Last week in Monaco, amidst all the team’s controversies, Doohan was credited for carrying out crucial simulator work on Friday night to rectify the A524’s set-up.
Speaking of the Monaco GP, it was this event that catalysed the intensifying scrutiny at Alpine. Only months after the loss of technical director Matt Harman, more uncertainty clouded the team.
There have been whispers for several months about Ocon’s potential departure from Enstone. With his strong performances in 2024, it is unsurprising that team principals elsewhere in the midfield are monitoring his availability. Evidently, the dynamic within Alpine seems precarious at best.
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Saturday 18th May 2024. Imola, Italy.
OCON EXIT POSSIBLE, DOOHAN COULD BENEFIT
Ocon’s departure is, at the very least, a realistic possibility. For some, his exit is a likely and even logical next step. Other teams are interested in the 27-year-old, including Ayao Komatsu’s Haas F1. Teammate Pierre Gasly is also understood to be exploring alternatives.
Whilst an all-new driver pairing is not guaranteed, it is a possibility that cannot be ruled out. Despite a tricky campaign in F2 last season, Doohan still finished an impressive third place – claiming three feature race victories.
Fellow Alpine junior Victor Martins is nowhere near this position in his current F2 season. Therefore, the situation on track matches what most reports suggest – that the Australian is a leading candidate to join the operation at Enstone and Viry. According to German outlet AMuS, Doohan is among the leading options for 2025.
Of course, there are other variables to consider. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, for example, could become desirable targets for Famin’s squad. As a result, Doohan must hope that Alpine F1 put their faith in youth.
Given the team’s current situation, a big-name signing could only magnify the criticisms of their F1 exploits. Doohan, therefore, is undoubtedly in a strong position.
