Esteban Ocon will part ways with Alpine at the conclusion of the current Formula 1 season, marking the end of a five-season tenure with the French outfit.
The decision follows a collision between Ocon and his teammate, Pierre Gasly, during the Monaco Grand Prix, which reportedly irked team principal Bruno Famin.
Ocon expressed gratitude for his time at Alpine, stating, “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 positive moments shared with Ocon, emphasizing the team’s focus on the remaining 16 races of the season with the objective of achieving optimal on-track results.
Both Alpine and Ocon portrayed the split as a mutual agreement in a joint statement, affirming that they had “agreed together” on the decision.
While the Monaco incident played a role in the outcome, discussions about Ocon’s future had been ongoing for several months.
Ocon, who joined the team in 2020, clinched a notable victory in Hungary in 2021 and secured two additional podium finishes during his tenure.
However, tensions with teammates, including Fernando Alonso in the past and more recently Gasly, have characterized Ocon’s time at Alpine.
The collision in Monaco further strained relations, as both drivers were instructed to prioritize the leading qualifier, with the other expected to support during the race.
Following the incident, Ocon received a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
Ocon intends to announce his plans for the 2025 season soon. While managed by Mercedes, he is not a contender for a seat at the team despite Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
Potential destinations for Ocon include Sauber, Haas, or Williams, with Sauber prioritizing Carlos Sainz and transitioning to Audi in 2026.
