F1 team announce driver REPLACEMENT after shock exit confirmed

A Formula 1 team have moved quickly to announce a replacement as they confirmed the shock exit of one of their drivers ahead of the season finale at Abu Dhabi this weekend.

The penultimate round of the 2024 season in Qatar last time out was full of controversial decisions, with two yellow flags, multiple race restarts and five DNFs, but it is a decision announced by one team in the aftermath of the race that has perhaps become the most controversial.

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The 23rd grand prix of the year saw mixed emotions throughout the paddock. McLaren were denied the chance to secure the constructors' championship thanks to a severe FIA penalty handed to Lando Norris, Red Bull took home another victory thanks to Max Verstappen yet his team-mate Sergio Perez failed to finish the race, and Mercedes once again left Lewis Hamilton ready to throw in the towel after a dismal showing.

Another outfit who found themselves both celebrating and commiserating their result simultaneously were Alpine, who, thanks to the efforts of Pierre Gasly, have reclaimed P6 in the constructors' championship after his top-five finish at the Lusail International Circuit.

Esteban Ocon on the other hand failed to make it past the first corner after a collision involving himself, Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto, with all three drivers unable to finish the race.

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Alpine announce shock driver swap

Ocon himself has already signed a contract to head to Haas F1 team for the 2025 season, but it seems he will now be heading to the American-owned constructor a lot earlier than expected, with Alpine confirming he will not drive for them at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend.

The 28-year-old has been with the Enstone-based team since they joined the grid in 2021 following a rebrand of Renault, and remains a major part of the team's history as their first grand prix winner.

Following a disastrous run in Qatar however, Ocon has now driven his final race for Alpine and will be making an early exit, with 2025 Alpine driver Jack Doohan confirmed to be stepping into Ocon's seat for the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit.

The driver swap has reportedly been activated so that Ocon can participate in the post-season test for Haas the Tuesday after the final race of 2024, with Sky F1 pundit Ted Kravitz reporting that Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore had struck a deal with Ocon to get Doohan in the seat early.

TEAM STATEMENT​@jackdoohan33 will race at the #AbuDhabiGP in place of Esteban Ocon pic.twitter.com/EcdCZrZTJA

— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) December 2, 2024

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