Alpine and Esteban Ocon announced on Monday that they would be parting ways at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The French team and driver combination has lasted five years, but after one victory in Hungary and several podiums, it’s a relationship that’s finally coming to an end.
Alpine posted on social media to confirm the news and that prompted a lot of responses from Formula 1 fans.
Many of those fans have now shared who they want to see replace the 27-year-old for the 2025 campaign.
Alpine announce Esteban Ocon is leaving at the end of the 2024 season
It has to be pointed out that Esteban Ocon isn’t being dropped by Alpine for performance-related reasons.
Ocon and Pierre Gasly have both scored the same number of points this season – one – but Ocon has come out on top in the head-to-head battle.
In the first eight Grand Prix, Ocon has finished ahead of his teammate on six occasions and narrowly missed out on scoring points in China.
Ocon also has an identical 6-2 record over Gasly in qualifying as well, highlighting that he’s getting more out of the struggling Alpine car than his fellow Frenchman.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
However, tensions between Ocon and the rest of the team – and especially Gasly – have existed for some time.
Team principal Bruno Famin was understandably furious with Ocon after he brought his race to an end in Monaco after colliding with his teammate on the opening lap trying to overtake heading into Portier.
He was fortunate not to have caused too much damage to Gasly’s car and he still managed to come home where he started the race in 10.
Alpine now have to find a replacement for Ocon and plenty of F1 fans would love to see reserve driver Jack Doohan handed his seat.
The ‘brilliant’ Australian has sat out of taking part in any racing series to concentrate on his work with Alpine’s F1 team.
He’ll now be hoping that hard work has paid off and he can be handed his opportunity next year.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan? Everything you need to know
Formula 1 fans want to see Jack Doohan replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine
Alpine’s statement on Twitter simply read: “BWT Alpine F1 Team and Esteban Ocon agree to part ways at the end of the 2024 season.”
In the replies, many fans were calling for Doohan to be brought in as his replacement.
Jack Ansell said: “Announce Doohan,”, while user @VinalesDefender simply replied: “DOOHAN DOOHAN.”
Another user commented: “Jack Doohan it’s your time,” and “Jack Doohan to Alpine,” was shared by another X user.
User @ishaandaar was certain the Australian would be announced soon and said: “Doohan incoming!” and that was echoed by Ronak Agrawal who added: “Good now sign Jack Doohan.”
Does Jack Doohan have a chance to drive for Alpine in 2025?
Jack Doohan has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to race in Formula 1 and 2025 might finally be the season that he steps up with Alpine.
Previously a Red Bull junior driver, Doohan has been part of the French team’s academy since 2022.
Doohan finished 3 in Formula 2 behind Theo Pourchaire and Frederik Vesti last season and took up a full-time reserve driver role for this year.
Haas have already ruled out a move for Doohan next year meaning his only realistic option for stepping up is with his current team.
Doohan has really impressed Alpine and is said to be doing ‘all the right things’ to put himself in contention to be handed a call-up by team principal Bruno Famin.
However, there are a lot of current F1 drivers looking for race seats next year and that may end up preventing Doohan from taking part in his rookie season in 2025.
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