Alpine parries criticism on “straightforward” Ocon/Doohan F1 swap

Alpine Formulation 1 workforce principal Oliver Oakes acknowledged the late timing of swapping Esteban Ocon for Jack Doohan was “not good” however parried criticism on the “simple” choice itself.

Over the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Alpine determined it was solely going to launch 2025 Haas signing Ocon to his new workforce for Abu Dhabi’s winter take a look at on the situation that Ocon ceded his spot in what would have been his closing race for Alpine to his substitute Jack Doohan.

That quid professional quo was understood to be a last-minute name initiated by Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore after Ocon’s launch for subsequent Tuesday’s take a look at had already been agreed with Haas for some weeks. 

On Monday it was confirmed Ocon had agreed to step down, a call which brought about some friction as a result of the Frenchman had already deliberate a particular tribute helmet to say farewell to the Enstone workforce he raced with for 5 seasons, taking to social media to say his untimely exit was “not how I wanted things to end”.

Chatting with Motorsport.com in Abu Dhabi, workforce boss Oakes admitted the timing of the driving force swap was removed from very best, however he insisted the transfer continues to be the fitting name for all events concerned as each Doohan and Ocon can get a head begin on their 2025 programme.

“Nothing’s good in F1 and from either side that would have all been sorted out earlier, however that is not how everybody works,” Oakes admitted. “And we’ve to do what’s proper for the workforce.

“The place I get a bit pissed off with it’s that everybody’s developing with their completely different theories. However for me, it is simple. He needed to do the take a look at along with his new workforce. No worries, thanks. You have been actually good with us, and we actually respect every part you have finished for us.

“And it is in our curiosity to get Jack within the automotive a lot earlier. That is a win for us. Lots of people have made much more out of that than they wanted to, on the finish of the day.”

Oakes mentioned the cameos made by different younger drivers over the season, together with Haas’ spectacular Oliver Bearman, reveals the large upside of giving Doohan an earlier grand prix debut, with the Australian having solely undertaken FP1 and personal testing outings to this point.

“I feel you have seen this yr the advantage of getting rookies into the automotive earlier,” he mentioned. “And two or three of these groups we’ll be combating with subsequent yr [have done so], so we’ve to essentially do what’s proper for us. It is fairly easy. For us, it is an actual benefit to get Jack within the automotive earlier.”

Alpine is barely 5 factors forward of Haas within the standings forward of this weekend’s season finale, and whereas Oakes just isn’t suggesting the 28-year-old would do something untoward to profit his future employer, for the workforce it’s higher to be protected than sorry.

Ocon has struggled for tempo in comparison with team-mate Pierre Gasly in latest races, so the workforce felt placing Doohan in for Abu Dhabi wouldn’t essentially have an effect on the workforce’s scoring potential because it battles each Haas and RB for sixth.

“We’re combating the workforce Esteban goes to for P6, so there’s a component of sanity verify in that as properly,” he acknowledged. “And I feel [looking at] the previous couple of weekends, it would not be flawed to say there’s not an enormous danger there in switching Jack and Esteban with the type of outcomes as properly.”

“Whether or not he is checked out already or whether or not the [latest] improve simply did not go well with him, who is aware of. From my viewpoint he is clearly a great driver and he delivered a powerful end in Brazil.

“I feel Pierre had the legs on him a bit of bit with the upgrades. However that is regular, we see that up and down the grid. From my facet he is positively a great driver.

“He is positively going to be a thorn in our facet subsequent yr, as a result of Haas is having a great season as properly. So, I want him properly.”