Esteban Ocon Set to Depart Alpine at Season’s End

Esteban Ocon will part ways with Alpine at the conclusion of the current Formula 1 season after completing five seasons with the French outfit.

The decision follows a contentious incident during the Monaco Grand Prix where Ocon collided with teammate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap, reportedly upsetting team principal Bruno Famin.

Expressing gratitude, 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.”

In a joint statement, Alpine and Ocon characterized the split as a mutual agreement after months of discussions regarding their future.

While the Monaco incident was not cited as the sole reason for the split, it seemingly solidified a pre-existing trajectory. Ocon, who joined the team in 2020 when it was known as Renault, clinched one victory in Hungary in 2021 and secured two additional podium finishes during his tenure.

Throughout his stint at Alpine, Ocon’s relationship with teammates, notably Fernando Alonso in 2021-22 and Gasly since 2023, has been marked by occasional tensions. The collision in Monaco added strain, as both drivers had been instructed to prioritize the leading qualifier, which was Gasly, on race day.

Ocon, found guilty by F1 stewards of causing the collision, received a five-place grid penalty for the subsequent race in Canada.

Looking ahead, Ocon is expected to announce his 2025 racing plans imminently. Managed by Mercedes, he is not in contention for a seat at the team despite Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari next season. Potential destinations for Ocon include Sauber, Haas, or Williams.