Doohan gets FP1 outing for Alpine in Canada

Jack Doohan will make his first FP1 appearance of the season for Alpine at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, replacing Esteban Ocon.

The Alpine reserve driver is in the frame for a race seat in 2025 when Ocon leaves the team, after the Frenchman’s departure was confirmed earlier this week. That came off the back of a collision between the two Alpine cars in Monaco, where team principal Bruno Famin warned there would be consequences for Ocon, and he will now step aside for the first practice session to allow Doohan to drive.

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“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.”

Doohan, 21, says the outing will be beneficial in his support role in the simulator, rather than focusing on track experience ahead of a potential promotion.

“Really excited to get out on track in Montreal for FP1,” Doohan said. “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 familiarize 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 maximizing the session for both drivers, looking at certain test items and understanding the new track surface.”

While he will have to wait until FP2, Ocon says he is keen to get back behind the wheel after the recent focus surrounding his future.

“A lot has been said in recent days, so I am very much looking forward to driving again and getting back out on track,” Ocon said. “My focus and energy is fully dedicated to the team and maximizing our results on track, starting already this weekend in Canada.

“The pace we showed in Monaco was positive, particularly in qualifying trim where we had the opportunity to get both cars into Q3. As a team, we have been making steady progress over the course of the season.

“Despite the circuit characteristics being quite different, hopefully we can carry momentum into Montreal and show similar speed as we did in Monaco. The field is extremely close at the moment, so extracting every bit of performance counts.”