Esteban Ocon Condemns Alpine’s F1 Driver Switch Move

Esteban Ocon, who previously drove for Alpine in Formula 1, has criticized his former team’s approach after Jack Doohan was relegated to a reserve driver role only six races into the 2025 season. Ocon voiced his concerns during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend at Imola.

Doohan, the young Australian talent, was promoted to a race seat for Alpine at the end of 2024 but quickly found himself under pressure as the new season got underway. After failing to score points in his first six races and struggling against teammate Pierre Gasly, Doohan lost his spot to Franco Colapinto.

Ocon, now racing for Haas, told French broadcaster Canal+ that the swift decision surprised him. He pointed out that Doohan displayed decent speed in the early races and deserved a longer chance to prove his potential.

Ocon noted that such abrupt moves could hurt a young driver’s career, especially since drivers spend years working toward a race seat in Formula 1. Still, he believes Doohan has the talent to return to the grid in the future.

Alpine’s managerial decisions have come under increasing scrutiny over the past several years. The team has become well known for frequent changes in senior staff, including a revolving door of team principals and technical leaders. For more context on team dynamics in motorsport, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) provides governance insights.

Their handling of driver contracts and mid-season changes has sparked debate among fans and paddock insiders. Ocon remarked that Colapinto, who took Doohan’s seat, also deserves to be in Formula 1 but criticized the way the team let Doohan go, saying the process was not fair to drivers who had little time to settle and show progress.

Doohan’s situation this season highlights how competitive and unforgiving Formula 1 can be for new drivers. Six races represent only a fraction of the year, and many believe more time is needed to learn, adapt, and start collecting results. The Formula 1 official website offers detailed analysis on rookie performance metrics.

Alpine gave Doohan his F1 debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and expectations were high for his first full season. The pressure to score points and match an experienced teammate like Gasly likely added to the challenges for Doohan.

The choice to replace Doohan with Colapinto so early also raises questions about Alpine’s long-term planning and patience with young talent. Colapinto, a rising star himself, now has his own chance in the spotlight, but the quick switch has left some wondering whether he will be given more time if initial results do not meet expectations. For further reading on driver development, Motorsport.com’s analysis provides expert perspectives.

Alpine’s strategy, focused on immediate results, may come at the cost of developing rookie drivers for future success. Ocon’s comments come amid broader concerns about stability at Alpine, as the team searches for both strong performances on track and consistent leadership off it.

Despite the change, Ocon wished Doohan well and highlighted his raw pace as a sign that he could return to Formula 1 in the seasons ahead. The driver market for 2025 remains active, with Alpine’s decisions likely to influence future moves across several teams. For historical context on driver market trends, Wikipedia’s Formula 1 page offers comprehensive background.