Esteban Ocon to LEAVE Alpine and lose his F1 seat at finish of the season
Esteban Ocon is leaving Alpine at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the team have confirmed.
The Frenchman’s future on the grid is now in serious doubt, and news of his exit comes just days after team boss Bruno Famin threatened ‘consequences’ in the wake of his crash with teammate Pierre Gasly in Monaco.
Ocon, 27, has been in F1 since 2016, but now faces a fight to keep his place in the sport, and his performances so far this season have done little to help his cause.
He has just a single point in the drivers’ standings and sits 16th heading into this weekend’s race in Canada – where he will face a five-place grid drop for crashing into his teammate last time out.
The first-lap incident in Monaco left Alpine team boss Famin raging, with the team boss immediately slamming Ocon on French TV – while the race was still ongoing.
French driver Esteban Ocon is out at Alpine, leaving his Formula 1 future in serious doubt
Ocon arrives at the Monaco paddock alongside his girlfriend Flavy Barla last week
‘It’s sad, this kind of incident. It’s exactly what we didn’t want to see. And there will be the appropriate consequences,’ he said.
‘It was a clear instruction from the team on what to do, what we were supposed to do, and this wasn’t respected.
‘Potentially we could have maybe scored points with both cars. We’ll talk about it, I’m sure we’ll move on and find solutions in the future.’
That solution has now been found, and it involves Ocon no longer racing for Alpine in 2025.
After the race in Monaco, Ocon took to social media to apologise for the incident, admitting it was his fault.
He went on to receive a significant amount of abuse, which he also addressed in a post earlier this week.
Ocon crashed into his teammate Pierre Gasly on lap one of the Monaco Grand Prix last week
‘I see and feel this every weekend at the track and on social media… the good and the bad,’ he wrote on X. ‘But the misinformed statements and gross distortions that I have seen online in recent days about my ability to work with a team have been inaccurate, hurtful, and damaging.’
Ocon posted again on Monday morning, confirming his exit from Alpine and thanking the team for the part they’ve played in his career.
His statement reads: ‘BWT Alpine F1 Team and I have agreed together to part ways at the end of the 2024 F1 season.
‘The Enstone-Viry family has played a significant part in my life, dating back to my Lotus junior programme days. I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have achieved the things I did with this team, from my first podium to my first win in Formula 1. These achievements truly were dreams come true.
‘I’ve crossed paths with so many inspiring individuals in my time here and there are too many people to thank for their hard work, passion, and dedication to the cause. But also for their kindness and support I received over the years.
‘We had many ups and certainly some downs, but all I can say is that it was an honour racing alongside you, whether you were at the factories or trackside.
‘Still, there is a long way to go this season and my focus and energy is 100% dedicated to this team and the work we need to do together to move forward and maximise our results on track.
Ocon (right) has had a difficult relationship with his teammate and countryman Pierre Gasly
‘Like many drivers this season, a lot has been said about my future beyond 2024. News will be announced in due course.’
There are still 16 races to go in the 2024 season, giving Ocon ample time to prove himself and fight for a seat with a different team for 2025.
As it stands, there are plenty of drivers out of contract, with seats available at the likes of Williams, Haas, Sauber, Visa Cash App RB – and even the main Red Bull team.
In his F1 career, Ocon has raced 141 times, with three podiums and a single win – at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
