PARIS (AP) — F1 team Alpine confirmed Monday that French driver Esteban Ocon has been released ahead of the final Grand Prix of the season and that Jack Doohan will make his debut in Abu Dhabi.
The team said in a statement that the lineup change will allow Ocon to take part in post-season tests with his new team Haas.
Alpine had announced in June that Ocon would leave at the end of the season after a troubled start to the year in Formula 1 for him and the French-owned team.
Doohan was promoted from the reserve driver role to become Pierre Gasly’s teammate.
The 28-year-old Ocon was in 14th place in the driver's standings. He crashed out of the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.
Gasly was 11th in the standings and the two Frenchmen have have had a tense working relationship at times, after being friends and rivals in their junior karting days.
Ocon made his F1 debut in 2016 with Manor and joined the then-Renault team for 2020. His sole career win came at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021 for Alpine after a crash in wet conditions took out much of the field.
Ocon has three other podium finishes, including an unexpected second place at the Brazilian GP last month. Gasly placed third in a rare bright spot for the beleaguered Alpine team, which is battling with Haas for fifth place in the constructors' championship heading into the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP this weekend.
Ocon will partner 19-year-old British driver Ollie Bearman at Haas next season.
The 21-year-old Doohan, son of former motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, was third in Formula 2 last year and has been a full-time reserve for Alpine in 2024.
Doohan's presence on the grid will again give F1 two Australian drivers on the grid next year, with Oscar Piastri showing his ability with victories at the Hungarian GP and Azerbaijan GP for McLaren this season.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon of France crashes out of the race during the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
CHICAGO & PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2024--
In 1974, Oscar Mayer aired “The Bologna song” commercial for the first time, capturing the American zeitgeist and teaching people coast to coast how to spell B-O-L-O-G-N-A. Now, 50 years later, Oscar Mayer re-introduces the world to the iconic ad, the longest running jingle in advertising history, all while rewarding fans who sing along.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241202749095/en/
Complete with the same ‘70s camera quality and original lyrics for fans to sing loud and proud, Oscar Mayer re-aired “The Bologna song” original commercial to millions nationwide during the big Thanksgiving football game last week. To delight those who grew up loving the jingle and those who may have seen it for the first time, Oscar Mayer is commemorating the song’s anniversary with the debut of “Sing To Pay”—giving fans nationwide who correctly sing its lyrics the opportunity to cash in on free groceries, including delicious Oscar Mayer Bologna.
“50 years ago, we introduced the world to ‘The Bologna song,’ as a way to spotlight our delicious deli meats and cement the brand’s legacy and mantra of uniting millions around a love of meat,” said Shelby Max, Brand Manager for Oscar Mayer. “We knew this anniversary was a moment that needed to be celebrated in a big way, both for those who remember and those that are new. By re-airing the original ad and becoming the first brand to accept singing as a form of payment, we want to remind fans everywhere that bologna has a first name – it’s O-S-C-A-R.”
Now through Sunday, Dec. 15, fans can submit an audio recording correctly singing “The Bologna song” lyrics to SingtoPay.com and could receive an Instacart credit to use on Oscar Mayer Bologna and any other groceries, while supplies last. Any and all singing abilities welcome!
The fun doesn’t stop there – fans in select cities nationwide can warm up their vocal cords because the iconic Wienermobile is bringing “Sing to Pay” to fans in real life. Lucky individuals who spot the 27-foot hot dog on wheels now through Sunday, Dec. 15 can sing “The Bologna song” lyrics to the vehicle’s Hotdoggers and if correct, receive free Oscar Mayer Bologna.
To learn more about the history of “The Bologna song” and all about “Sing to Pay,” visit SingtoPay.com and follow @OscarMayer on Instagram and TikTok.
ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2023 net sales of approximately $27 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.
Oscar Mayer celebrates 50 years of the Bologna Song – the iconic jingle that captured the American zeitgeist. (Graphic: Business Wire)
