Meet the only other driver in F1 history to make his debut in Abu Dhabi with Jack Doohan set for first race

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It has formally been announced that Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Ultimately, it’s a shame for their only race winner and a Monaco podium-sitter to be bowing out after an early retirement in the Qatar Grand Prix.

However, he is allowed to start work with his new Haas team earlier than anticipated, and in doing so has handed the talented Doohan an opportunity.

He can now get ahead of the game and get some true race experience before beginning his F1 career full-time in 2025.

How Will Stevens made his Formula 1 debut in Abi Dhabi

In making his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Doohan becomes the second driver in history to do so after Will Stevens.

The Brit competed for Caterham in their last-ever race, after they relied on crowdfunding to complete their season.

Joining full-time driver Kamui Kobayashi, he managed to qualify just five-tenths behind his more experienced teammate with very little testing.

READ MORE: Why Jack Doohan’s latest Alpine test was a disaster amid Franco Colapinto speculation

The race didn’t go too much better, enjoying a quiet one and crossing the line exactly where he started in 17th, despite the retirements of Kobayashi, Daniil Kvyat and Pastor Maldonado.

It was a success for Caterham to have been on the grid in the first place though, having missed races in Austin and Sao Paulo.

Their assets to placed on sale the following year and sadly, they never returned to the grid, but what happened to Stevens?

Where did Will Stevens go after his one-off Caterham drive?

It was enough to earn him a seat with Manor-Marussia the following season, but he failed to score a point in the sport – winding up with a best finish of 13th at his home British Grand Prix in 2015.

It was probably unjust that he never received a fair opportunity to compete in a remotely competitive car, or one that he could showcase his talents in.

Both cars he commanded across his 20-race career were pretty shocking, but that wasn’t the end of his motorsport exploits.

READ MORE: What Alpine have just done with Pierre Gasly that confirms they have doubts over Jack Doohan

Since his single-seater career came to an end, he has enjoyed success in the World Endurance Championship, winning the LMP2 class in 2022.

Now, he’s a Hypercar driver for Team Jota and even managed to claim a victory this year during the six hours of Spa.