Esteban Ocon is set to part ways with Alpine at the conclusion of the 2024 Formula 1 season, ending his five-year tenure with the French team.
Advertisement
The decision follows a tumultuous incident at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Ocon collided with teammate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap, drawing ire from team principal Bruno Famin.
Expressing gratitude for his time with Alpine, Ocon stated, “We have had some great moments together, some tough moments as well, and I am grateful to everyone at the team for these memorable times.”
Famin acknowledged the highs shared with Ocon but emphasized the remaining 16 races of the season, aiming for the best on-track results.
Alpine and Ocon portrayed the split as a mutual agreement in a joint statement, affirming they had “agreed together.”
Advertisement
While the Monaco incident did not directly cause the split, discussions regarding Ocon’s future had been ongoing for months, with tensions surfacing intermittently with teammates Fernando Alonso and, more recently, Gasly.
The collision in Monaco exacerbated existing tensions, as Ocon breached team instructions by attempting an overtaking move on Gasly. The subsequent retirement and penalty further strained relations.
Ocon, managed by Mercedes, will announce his 2025 plans soon. Despite Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Ocon is not in contention for a Mercedes seat and is likely to join Sauber, Haas, or Williams for the upcoming season.
Leave a Reply