Alpine boss Oliver Oakes expands on ‘discussions’ amid reports Esteban Ocon could be replaced by Jack Doohan for Abu Dhabi GP

Pushed on whether or not these discussions had been prompted by Alpine or by Ocon’s aspect, Ocon answered: “I believe it comes from all sides actually. I assume you possibly can say it’s good to get Jack in early, I believe you possibly can say from Esteban’s aspect it’s good to maneuver on early.

“I believe it fits all people, so I believe the dialogue was fairly pure actually, and I believe Esteban’s been an enormous a part of this workforce as properly and from each side it fits one another.”

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Ocon and the workforce have had some highs and lows through the season, with a specific low level coming on the Monaco Grand Prix when he collided with workforce mate Gasly, an incident that led to rumours on the time that Ocon might discover himself having to sit down out the next race in Canada as a punishment.

When quizzed on whether or not elements reminiscent of any frustrations from Ocon had contributed in direction of him probably exiting early, Oakes responded: “No, I believe you possibly can say that has a component to play, however I believe actually the larger half is kind of a pure evolution actually of he’s transferring on, does it go well with each of us to try this only a bit earlier for the final spherical or not?

“From the opposite aspect it’s additionally [that] you possibly can have a look at it because it’s advantageous to get Jack within the workforce working with all people and get these butterflies gone now somewhat than subsequent yr in Australia.”

By way of the timeline for the discussions going ahead, Oakes added: “I believe there’s nonetheless some conversations to undergo tonight and perhaps tomorrow morning, however I believe all of it appears [to be] transferring in a route that is perhaps a very good answer for everyone. Let’s see.