Sad post-script emerges in Aussie Jack Doohan’s rise to F1 debut after Esteban Ocon dropped by Alpine

Dumped Formula One driver Esteban Ocon has sent a classy message to Alpine’s Australian rookie Jack Doohan while airing his sadness over the shock switch for this weekend’s season finale.

Ocon was due to farewell the French team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before joining Haas ahead of the 2025 season.

But just hours after the Qatar Grand Prix finished on Sunday it emerged he had been moved on, with Doohan promoted for an early debut before his full-time drive begins with next year’s season opener in Australia.

Alpine did little to celebrate Ocon despite a five-year stint that included the former Renault team’s only win since 2008 — and the Frenchman took note.

In a farewell message posted on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) he specifically only thanked “the hundreds of hard-working” mechanics and engineers within Alpine.

Ocon also revealed he planned to wear a helmet celebrating his time at Alpine for his final race — all but confirming the decision as not mutual — before visiting the Enstone and Viry factories to say goodbye to his colleagues.

“I would like to first and foremost thank the mechanics and engineers across all functions at the track, Enstone and Viry-Chatillon who have raced alongside me these last five seasons. We have shared so much together, and I am proud to call many of you my friends,” he wrote.

“I leave Alpine/Renault with great memories and the pride of having been the driver who brought the team’s best results since its return to the sport, climbing the top two steps of the podium in Bahrain, Hungary, and Brazil.

“It was also an honour to play a part in finishing P4 in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022. I know how much all of those moments meant for everybody and feeling that sense of achievement and joy alongside the team is what I am taking away with me.”

Ocon narrowly avoided being dropped by Alpine earlier this season following a clash with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco.

He was later frustrated by chassis and parts issues but the team denied he was at a severe disadvantage to Gasly.

“It has not been an easy year on track for the team and the second part of the season has been especially difficult. For various reasons,” Ocon said in his farewell message.

“I do not regret a single thing knowing I gave it 100 per cent every single session. Like I always have.

“To the hundreds of hard-working men and women at Enstone and Viry, I apologise that I will not be able come see you in person and have a proper farewell.

“As you know, the plan was always to race one last time this weekend and personally say goodbye to you all next week. I was looking forward to both of those things.

“This is not how I wanted things to end.

“That said, the world of F1 is small and I am sure I will see many of you again soon.”

Before ending his letter with ‘merci, thank you’ Ocon showed support for Doohan.

“I would also like to wish nothing but great things to my friend Jack as he takes this next big step in his career at this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,” the Frenchman wrote.

Doohan, the son of Australian motorcycle legend Mick, had acknowledged Ocon following confirmation of the swap.

“Stoked to be racing in Abu Dhabi this weekend for my debut grand prix. Grateful to Alpine for the trust and for giving me this opportunity,” the Aussie wrote.

“Also very grateful to Esteban who I’ve learnt a great deal from over the last two years. He’s been beneficial to my learning and development in Formula 1 and wish him the best for his future.

“( am) focused on the job at hand this week and working with Pierre to help the team achieve its objective.”

That objective is worth upwards of $10m to Alpine.

Ocon and Gasly’s surprise double podium at the wet Sao Paulo Grand Prix last month catapulted the team from eighth to sixth in the constructors’ championship.

But they are just five points ahead of Haas entering the final race of the season.

Doohan has not raced since winning last year’s Formula 2 finale at Abu Dhabi last year but he has tested extensively for Alpine this year, including in two official practice sessions.